Romania, Kingdom. A Lot of Orders, Medals, & Decorations

1. A Romanian Manhood And Loyalty Medal, 3rd Class. (1916-1947 Issue), bronze oval medallion, obverse features portrait of Carol I facing left, reverse bears inscription Barbatie Si Oredinta”, inclusive of sword and laurel suspension 56.4 mm (h) x 27.2 mm (w), evidence of some wear, very fine condition. 

 Footnote: The medal was instituted in 1903, for police officers and policemen, as well as civilians, for preserving or restoring public order. In 1916, the award became a war decoration, with crossed swords added to the suspension. It was awarded to lower ranks for bravery in the face of the enemy.

2.A Romanian Order of the Crown. Type II. (1932- 1947 Issue). Maltese cross in red and white enamel, crowns and swords at each corner, obverse center shows the initial of Carol I surrounded by the inscription “Prin Noi Insine  / 14 Martie 1881”, reverse center shows date “10 Maiu”, on original red ribbon, 40 mm, evidence of chipping on obverse and reverse white enamel centerpiece, slight wear on silver swords, very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Romania is a chivalric order set up on 14 March 1881 by King Carol I of Romania to commemorate the establishment of the Kingdom of Romania. It was awarded as a state order until the end of the Romanian monarchy in 1947. It was revived on 30 December 2011 as a dynastic order.

3.Romania, Kingdom. A Commemorative Medal of the Crusade Against Communism. In bronze, obverse shows clenched fist holding a sword, reverse shows Romanian liberty symbol with the motto ROMÂNIA RECUNOSCĂTOARE, on original red ribbon including campaign clasp for Donet, 31 mm, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The Commemorative Medal of the Crusade Against Communism was established by King Michael I in 1942. It was conferred upon Romanian military personnel and civilians in recognition of participation in the fight against the Soviet Union at the beginning of the Second World War. It was also awarded to foreign military personnel including members of the German Wehrmacht.

4. Romania, Kingdom. WW1 Commemorative Cross. Bronze cross, obverse bears the royal cypher of King Ferdinand I of Romania, reverse bears the years 1916|1919, on original ribbon, evidence of oxidation and surface wear, 42.4 mm, very fine condition.

Footnote: The medal was instituted in 1918 and was awarded to military and civilian personnel for service during the Great War. Romania entered the War in 1916 on the Entente side, despite the alliance of the country with both Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the fact that the Romanian Royal House was of German origin.

5. Romania, Faithful Service Cross III Class

Instituted in 1906. In bronze, cross superimposed on laurel wreath and two crossed swords, obverse medallion bears inscription SERVICIU CREDINCIOS, reverse medallion bears Romanian coat of arms, inclusive of crown suspension 53.5 mm (h) x 34.3 mm (w), on original ribbon, better than very fine condition. 

Footnote: The medal was instituted by King Carol I in 1906. It is currently awarded to Romanian citizens and foreigners in recognition of meritorious service to Romania. It was widely awarded to German military personnel during the Second World War, and from 1937-1941 it could be conferred with swords for wartime merit.

6. Romania, Kingdom. An Order of the Star of Romania, VI Class(?).

Instituted in 1877. Type I. (1877-1932). In silver gilt, a blue enamel cross with clusters of rays in each quadrant, obverse medallion features a superimposed eagle on a red enameled field, surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed IN FIDE SALUS, encircled by a green enameled wreath, reverse bears the crowned monogram of King Carol I, cross is surmounted by a large crown and swords, inclusive of sword and crown suspension 58 mm (h) x 42 mm (w), evidence of minimal wear to silver gilding, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The Order of the Star was instituted on 10 May 1877 by Carol I as a reward for civil and military service to the nation. It was the first Order in the country of Romania after it became an independent state. 

7. Romania, Kingdom. Peles Royal Castle Commemorative Medal.

Instituted in 1933. Bronze medallion, obverse bearing the portraits of Kings Carol I, Ferdinand and Carol II circumscribed with "50 Years Since the Founding of Peles Castle at Sinaia", reverse inscription of a  patriotic poem by the Romanian poet Vasile Alecsandri reads, "I, Carol, myself, and my people have built together, having one intention and love, my kingdom in times of war, my castle in times of peace", on original ribbon, evidence of wear on ribbon, 32.8 mm, very fine condition. 

Footnote: The Medal was instituted on 16 August 1933 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the renovation of the Royal Castle at Peles. It was awarded just to the members of the Army High Command, the Sinaia Garrison and to holders of the Order of Michael the Brave, 1st Class and the Medal of Military Virtue, 1st Class. In total just 600 medals were awarded, making this a very rare award.