I have two of these badges available. If there is a particular one you would like, please let me know. An excellent medal style pin badge from 1956 made from a light silver coloured metal. The badge face is 3.7cm high including the chain and 'ribbon' and has a safety clasp style fastener to the rear. Featuring the text '10 Jahre' meaning 10th anniversary and displaying the FDJ rising sun logo.
Historical Background.
The Free German Youth, also known as the FDJ (German: Freie Deutsche Jugend), was the official socialist youth movement of the German Democratic Republic and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany.
The organization was meant for young people, both male and female, between the ages of 14 and 25 and comprised about 75% of the young population of former East Germany. After being a member of the Thälmann Pioneers, which was for schoolchildren ages 6 to 14, East German youths would usually join the FDJ.
For more information take a look at wikipedia's information about the Free German Youth.
