Spain, Nationalist State. A Mint and Unissued Boxed “Blue Division” Medal for the Campaign in Russia, c. 1943

(Medalla de la División Azul por la Campaña en Rusia). Instituted in 1943. Constructed of silvered bronze with black enamels, the obverse illustrating the Nationalist Eagle of Spain with an Iron Cross bearing a swastika, above the Falange symbol, the eagle backed by a laurel wreath and surmounted by the Franco crown, reverse illustrating the Novgorod's Kremlin surrounded by a wreath of chains and inscribed "RUSIA 1941" below, suspended from its mint period-original ribbon with medal bar and horizontal pinback, measuring 36.5 mm (w) x 45.3 mm (l). Accompanied by its cardstock box if ossie, marked "Medalla De Tropa/Donativo Del Ministerior Del Ejercito/Medalla Conmemoativa” in capitalized lettering, measuring 91 mm (w) x 45 mm (l), in mint and unissued condition.

Footnote: The "Blue Division" Medal for the Campaign in Russia was commissioned on November 9, 1943 and was awarded by Nationalist Spain to those Spanish volunteers who served on the Russian front during the Second World War, as members of the "Blue Division". This force, attached to the Heer of the Wehrmacht (Army), known as the 250th Infantry Division, was composed of 47,000 men in total, sent by Francisco Franco, to aid the Third Reich as a way to pay back Adolf Hitler's help during the Spanish Civil War.