Chinese Mao Zedong Circular Lapel Pin

Deep red ground with tiny stars and a hammer-and-sickle under the chin.

This Mao Zedong circular lapel pin 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. Pale silver shapes a broad, left-facing head on a red field with faint rays and a slightly wavy surface. A row of small stars and a tiny hammer-and-sickle emblem run along the bottom edge. The red has a few dark specks. It is 1.5 inches in diameter.

The stars are tiny, but they keep perfect time.