Chinese Cultural Revolution Medallion

A banner of brushy characters unrolls beneath a profile in a ray-lined disc.

This cultural revolution medallion is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is metal. Badges and lapel pins bearing Mao's face were produced by the billions, and Mao himself called a halt to production in 1969 because the metal used was seen as wasteful. A round medallion with a loop at the top. A raised head in profile fills a smooth inner circle surrounded by finely ruled rays. A curled banner with calligraphic characters sits at the base over faint hills. It is 1.75 inches in diameter.

The banner does the talking while the profile listens.