Description

Stalin Prize Medal 3rd class, 1943 with Document

Awarded to Matvey Nikolaevich Pozhidaev (Матвей Николаевич Пожидаев)

For the introduction of improved agronomic methods over a number of years and for obtaining a record potato harvest in 1942 – 1,330 centners per hectare”

Made of brass and silver. It measures 29.78 mm in height including the eyelet, 25.99 mm in width and weighs 10.6 grams without its suspension. The suspension is authentic to the medal and measures 24.62 mm in width at his widest point and 15.89 in height at its narrowest point.

In great, well above average condition with most details on the higher laying parts like Stalin’s face and the wreath still visible. The lettering on its reverse has crisp edges and much of the gold plating is still present. The suspension includes its time period and original ribbon, rectangular plate, hexagon nut and screwplate. The connection ring attached to the suspension has not been cut and its screw has not been shortened.

The Stalin Prize medal was one of the highest forms of encouragement for citizens of the USSR for outstanding achievements in the field of science and technology, military innovation, literature & art and fundamental improvements in production methods between 1940-1955. The winners of the Stalin Prize were entitled to certain benefits: free travel, free education of children in universities. Only few of these were were awarded -especially in the beginning- and after the de-Stalinization under Khrushchev many were taken back and replaced by the Soviet State Prize. One can imagine the rarity of these medals, especially with its document!

Some additional information on the Stalin Prizes can be read here and here

Also some information on the awardee and his accomplishments here