Medal For Faithful Service in The National People's Army - Medal Variations

Medal Variations

Several distinct variations of each grade of this medal exist. Although established in 1956, the first 10-year medals were not manufactured until 1959; the first 15-year medals in 1960 and the first 20-year medals in 1965. Because the practice of serial numbering medals was discontinued in 1959, only the Faithful Service Medal in bronze exists in a serial numbered version.

According to research by John Standberg the different types are;

20-Year - Gold

• Type 1 - (1965–72) Silver "900", gold plated, flags on the obverse are enameled. The silver content stamp is below the crossed laurel branches on the reverse.
• Type 2 - (1973–74) Bronze, gold plated, flags enameled.
• Type 3 - (1974–75) Bronze, gold plated, flags lacquered over a pebbled finish
• Type 4 - (1975–76) Same, lacquered over a smooth finish.
• Type 5 - (1977–83) Same as type 4, with" -UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter.
• Type 6 - (1983-86) Same as Type 5, 35 mm in diameter.
• Type 7 - (1986-90) Same as Type 6, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed.

15-Year (Gold)

• Type 1 - (1960-63) Silver "900", gold plated, content stamp on reverse above the intersection of the crossed laurel branches.
• Type 2 - (1964–72) Silver "900", gold plated, content stamp is below the crossed laurel branches.
• Type 3 - (1973–74) Bronze, gold plated.
• Type 4 - (1974–76) Bronze, gold plated with outer ring around State Seal on the GDR flag on the obverse.
• Type 5 - (1975) Same as Type 2, but with outer ring around State Seal on the GDR flag on the obverse.
• Type 6 - (1977–83) Same as type 4, with " -UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter.
• Type 7 - (1983–86) Same as Type 5, 35 mm in diameter.
• Type 8 - (1986–90) Same as Type 6, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed.

10-Year - Silver

• Type 1 - (1959) Silver "900" content stamp on rim, GDR flag on the obverse without the State Seal.
• Type 2 - (1960–61) Same as Type 1, flag on the obverse with State Seal.
• Type 3 - (1962–63) Silver "900" content stamp on reverse above the intersection of the crossed laurel branches.
• Type 4 - (1964–72) Silver "900" content stamp is below the crossed laurel branches.
• Type 5 - (1973–74) Bronze, silver plated.
• Type 6 - (1974–76) Bronze, silver plated with outer ring around State Seal on the GDR flag on the obverse.
• Type 7 - (1975) Same as Type 2, but with outer ring around State Seal on the GDR flag on the obverse.
• Type 8 - (1977–83) Same as type 4, with " -UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter.
• Type 9 - (1983–86) Same as Type 5, 35 mm in diameter.
• Type 10 - (1986–90) Same as Type 6, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed.

5-Year - Bronze

• Type 1 - (1956–59) Bronze, with serial number on reverse. GDR flag on the obverse without the State Seal.
• Type 2 - (1960–74) Bronze, no serial number. Flag on the obverse with State Seal.
• Type 3 - (1974–76) Bronze, with outer ring around State Seal on the GDR flag on the obverse.
• Type 4 - (1977–83) Same as type 3, with " -UND-", 34.7 mm in diameter.
• Type 5 - (1983–86) Same as Type 4,35 mm in diameter.
• Type 6 - (1986–90) Same as Type 5, grain stalks in the NVA emblem are stylized and closed.

The first style, used until 1959, has the GDR flag without the State Seal. The second style, used from 1960 until 1974 features the GDR flag with the State Seal. However, there is no outer ring around the seal. The final variety, used from 1974 until 1990 features a ring around the State Seal in the GDR flag. The 20 year medal also has three distinctly different obverse designs. The first type featured colored enameled flags. The second type featured colored lacquer applied over a pebbled finish on the flags. The third type was similar to the second except that the metal finish under the lacquer is smooth.