Badges were one of the most popular souvenirs in the USSR. They were made of metal, plastic, enamel and even wood. Badges were common in all spheres of life, from politics to sports and culture.
Political badges
Some of the most common badges were political badges, which depicted the leaders of the CPSU and other figures from Soviet history. Slogans and symbols of the CPSU and the USSR could also be seen on the badges.
Educational icons
In the USSR, badges were produced that were awarded to students who won competitions and olympiads, as well as to graduates of schools and universities.
Sports badges
Sports badges were very popular in the USSR, especially after the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Sports badges depicted Olympic symbols, medals and high-class signs in various sports.
Cultural icons
Cultural badges celebrated famous actors, writers, artists and musicians. These badges featured portraits of celebrities and logos of theaters, cinemas and music groups.
USSR Badges (Unsplash License)
The badges were used as symbols of achievement and participation in various activities, as well as a cultural and political tool. They left a bright mark on the history of the USSR and still evoke nostalgic feelings in people who grew up in that era.
Collecting badges
Badge collecting was and is a popular hobby in many countries, including the USSR. Badges can be collectibles for both professional collectors and people who associate these objects with their childhood or the time when they lived in the USSR.
There are many collectors who are interested in different types of badges. For example, some prefer to collect political badges, while others prefer sports, cultural or travel badges.
Modern badge collectors can find rare and interesting examples, such as badges made for a specific event or for a specific group of people. Badges made in small editions and of high quality can also be interesting for collectors.
To start collecting badges, you need to decide on the theme of the collection and see what badges exist in this category. You can start collecting badges by visiting fairs, trading and exchanging with other collectors, or buying badges in specialized stores.
Thanks to the Internet, today you can easily find and buy badges located in other cities or even countries. It is important to remember that not all badges are expensive, and collecting badges should be fun first and foremost. Collecting badges can help preserve historical memories of the past, and can also become an interesting hobby for amateurs.
In the USSR in the 80s, every schoolchild (usually in the younger grades) collected either stamps, or matchbox labels, or badges.