History

The Order of the Red Banner of Labour of the USSR was established on September 7, 1928. This Order was conferred in recognition of exceptional labour contributions to the fields of production, science, culture, literature, art education, or health care. It was awarded to USSR citizens, establishments, enterprises, organizations, autonomous and united republics, krais, oblasts, okrugs, regions, cities, and other types of population centres. It may also be awarded to foreign citizens and establishments.

This Order superseded the Red Banner of Labour awards of the individual USSR republics, although some continued to award these individual awards until 1933. The Order was awarded roughly 8,000 times before the Great patriotic War, and 30,000 by the end of the war. After 1991, it had been awarded 1,260,000 times.

There are six types of the orders, and several variations within each type. All types depict a dam a gold plated hammer and sickle in the center, and all have the Cyrillic letters USSR.

Type I, 1928 screwback version was awarded from September 7, 1928 until June 11, 1936. The order is made of four pieces of silver, gold-plating and enamel. There are two variation.

Variation I presents wider, shorter teeth on the large gear and the depression on the reverse is larger, measuring 28.5mm. Also, the last two letters of the Monetny Dvor mint mark are closer together. The serial numbers range from roughly 1-300. The lowest observed serial number is 39, and the highest is 220.

Variation II presents a depression on the reverse which measures 25.5mm. The serial numbers range from roughly 1,000 - 2,800. The lowest observed serial number is 1,196 and the highest is 2,748.

The obverse Russian inscription translates to: "Workers of the World Unite!" and "USSR".