Held van de Socialistische Arbeid

The title Hero of Socialist Labour was a title of the Mongolian People’s Republic. Mongolia was strongly under Soviet influence and, even before the Second World War, adopted the Soviet award system, with its socialist orders, orders of heroes, and titles for meritorious civilians and military personnel.

The Mongolian Hero of Socialist Labour was entitled to wear a small gold star (the “Soembo”) with a blue medallion on a solid clasp on the left breast. Several types were issued, numbered consecutively. The first 400 decorations were made in the Soviet Union by the Mint in Moscow. Older stars, in particular, weighing 32.4 grams, made of 14-karat gold and worn on a gilt-silver clasp, are quite valuable. In 2012, 6,000 dollars was being asked for such a star.

As was customary during the communist period, the clasp was attached to the clothing with a screw and a plate.