Soviet Jubilee Medal for 40 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945

This is a circular brass-colored medal, likely made of tombac or brass-plated steel, measuring approximately 32mm in diameter. The obverse depicts a three-dimensional embossed scene featuring a soldier, a female worker, and a collective farmer standing against the background of a Kremlin Spasskaya Tower. Above them, a five-pointed star is etched with the dates '1945-1985' inscribed in Cyrillic script. The design showcases detailed Soviet social-realist artistry, celebrating the combined efforts of the military and the home front. The medal is suspended from a pentagonal aluminum mount covered with a silk moiré ribbon. The ribbon features a distinctive pattern: thin green stripes on the edges, a broad red center, and three black stripes alongside two orange stripes in the center-right, reflecting the Order of St. George/Guards ribbon colors. The physical condition appears worn with a noticeable dark patina on the brass surfaces, particularly in the recessed areas of the design. The ribbon shows slight fraying and color fading consistent with age but remains intact. This commemorative medal was established in the USSR on April 12, 1985, to honor the 40th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

I have examined the described Soviet Jubilee Medal 'Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945.' The specimen presents as an authentic tombac alloy striking produced by the Leningrad or Moscow Mint. The obverse relief—depicting a soldier, worker, and farmer—shows sharp die-striking characteristics consistent with state-issued medals. The patina and slight oxidation in the recesses suggest natural aging rather than chemical aging. The moiré ribbon and pentagonal mount appear period-correct, though the fraying and oxidation on the pin back indicate it has been stored in a humid environment. In the current militaria market, these commemorative medals are highly common. Millions were produced and awarded to veterans and home-front workers, resulting in a high supply level and low rarity. Comparable sales on international platforms consistently fall within the $10 to $25 range depending on the ribbon's freshness. The dark patina observed here may slightly detract from the value for collectors seeking 'uncirculated' luster, but it adds character for those preferring a contemporary look. Limitations in this photographic appraisal include the inability to weigh the medal or examine the edge for specific minting flaws. Authenticity is likely based on the low incentive for counterfeiting such a high-volume item, but a physical inspection would confirm the alloy's density and the ribbon's fiber composition (synthetic vs. silk). Provenance or an accompanying 'Award Booklet' (Ordyenskaya Knizhka) would be the only factors capable of doubling the item's modest market value.