Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Long red bar with a pale gold frame and a steady line of script.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is metal. After Mao's death in 1976, the Communist Party began a process of de-Mao-ization, and much memorabilia was destroyed, statues were taken down, and many badges were collected and melted into functional objects. Broad and thin, the rectangle has a pale gold border. The red field is glossy and even, and four raised gold characters in brushed strokes sit evenly spaced across the middle, with no wear. It is 0.25 inches wide and 1.75 high.

Even spacing, even temper, and a very steady hand.