Chinese Mao Zedong Lapel Pin

Rays shoot from behind the head, and a small cap rests at the bottom right.

This Mao Zedong lapel pin is from China, and dates to the 20th century. 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. Profile head with swept hair emerges from sharp red rays. A tiny cap with a star rests at the lower right. Small script characters curve along the lower left, and the red shows deeper tones near the rim.

The cap sits down there like it is waiting its turn.