Vintage USSR Sports Award Badge “2 МЕСТО АССР, РСФСР” – 2nd Place Running Competition

Description:

Original Soviet sports award badge from the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic), awarded for achieving 2nd place (2 МЕСТО) in a running competition within an ASSR (Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic).

The badge features a runner in motion, surrounded by the blue enamel inscription “РСФСР 2 МЕСТО АССР” (“RSFSR 2nd Place ASSR”). It represents the official Soviet sporting system organized under the Всесоюзный комитет по физической культуре и спорту — the All-Union Committee for Physical Culture and Sports.

⸻

Historical Background:

During the Soviet era, each republic and autonomous region organized its own Spartakiad-style championships, known as Первенство, where athletes competed in various sports.

Badges like this were awarded for top results — 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places — and were often produced in small numbers for each ASSR.

These awards were part of the USSR’s drive to promote mass physical culture (физкультура) and the ideals of collective sport, blending athletic competition with socialist propaganda.

⸻

Item Details:

• Origin: USSR → RSFSR → ASSR

• Sport: Running / Athletics

• Award Level: 2nd Place (2 МЕСТО)

• Inscription: “РСФСР 2 МЕСТО АССР”

• Material: Heavy metal alloy (likely brass) with blue hot enamel

• Weight: ~10 g

• Diameter: Approx. 3.0–3.5 cm (see reference photo)

• Condition: Authentic vintage patina, light wear consistent with age. Enamel band and runner figure intact (see photos).

• Estimated Period: 1960s–1970s

⸻

Collectability:

This type of ASSR-level award badge is less common than ordinary participation badges and represents a genuine piece of Soviet sports history.

Highly collectible among enthusiasts of USSR enamel badges, athletics memorabilia, and Soviet regional awards.