Soviet Forces Award Appraisal

Soviet Medal for 60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR

This is a Soviet military commemorative medal, specifically the 'Jubilee Medal 60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR,' established on January 28, 1978. The medal is circular, approximately 32mm in diameter, struck in brass or gold-colored tombac. The obverse features three profile busts of Soviet soldiers: a sailor, an airman, and an infantryman in a helmet. These figures are set against a large five-pointed red enameled star. Framing the central image is a wreath of laurel and oak, with the years '1918' and '1978' visible. The reverse typically bears the inscription '60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR.' The medal is suspended from a pentagonal aluminum mount covered with a gray silk moiré ribbon, featuring two 1mm red stripes separated by a 1mm white stripe, and flanked by 2mm red edge stripes. Visible condition shows light surface wear, minor scratching on the brass, and slight fraying/discoloration on the ribbon commensurate with its age from the late 1970s. The red enamel appears intact with no significant chips. This mass-produced jubilee award demonstrates standard Soviet manufacturing quality of the Cold War era.