Soviet Union, Georgia. A State Prize of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (GSSR), c.1965

Type I, circa 1960s-1970. In 14K Gold, weighing 20.5 grams inclusive of its framed suspension, measuring 26 mm in diameter, suspended from a traditional-style ribboned gilded brass frame with pinback, very light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The State Prize of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic was awarded after the introduction of the "republican" state prizes in the 1960s and until the late 1980s, while Georgia was still a part of the Soviet Union. Interestingly, two versions of the same medal, in brass and solid gold, co-existed and were issued at the same time depending on the importance of the recipient. Ostensibly, the "lower class" recipients were getting the same award as the high ranking party apparatchiks, but the people "in the know" knew the difference. Reportedly, some 500 State Prize Medals of Georgian SSR were issued in total, including both brass and gold versions. The suspension device in gilded brass is very similar in design to that of Lenin Prize and USSR State Prize medals.