Romania Romanian Medals

[Eric Schena]

Here's the Order of 23 August, third class (gilt brass) from the RPR period. The order was established in 1959 and like the Order of the Star it came in 5 classes, the 1st and 2nd classes are breast stars and the 3rd, 4th and 5th classes are like this one, but they are in gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. It's made in 3 pieces and the little state seal is very well done with all sorts of colors of enamels.

[Eric Schena]

And lastly is the Medal for the 5th Anniversary of the RPR, created in 1952. It's made of a matte nickel silver and is in two pieces. This is the medal that got me into non USSR Eastern Bloc medals - it's very well made, the enameling on the seal is attractively done and it wasn't horribly expensive. I hope I've not bored y'all with these - I'll leave the real "geeking out" for the Albanian decorations

[Paul R]

Eric,

Thank you for posting these pics!! I bet that the 5 year anniversary medal is a rarity! I love enameled medals!!!

Do you have any others?

Please post all of your Order of 23 August's? I would like to see what they look like side by side. I think mine is the "gold" one.

Best regards

Paul

[FireMedals]

Here's the Romanian Fire Service medal... c.1955, probably used until the end of the Soviet years. This is the only purely fire service MEDAL. Romania also used various badges for bravery and achievement in the fire service, rather than additional medals.

No reverse image at the moment. Shows crossed fire axes and the various symbols of the workers paradise.

More info always welcome.

Firemedals

Edited October 8, 2005 by FireMedals

[HuliganRS]

Here's my Star of Romania 5th Class with it's box:

[John F.]

This is my small collection of Romanian awards

[HuliganRS]

I forgot to add my set of Orders of Tudor Vladimescu:

Here's better detail on individual pieces:

This is the 1st class:

This is the 3rd class:

Rusty.

[Stogieman]

Hi Rusty, as usual....... beautiful photos of beautiful stuff! Thanks!

[Paul R]

The Tudor Vladimescu Order series are definately eye catching!

[HuliganRS]

They look better in photos than real life!

Some cheap aluminum...

Still, I got a decent deal on the set...

Rusty.

[Eric Schena]

Ceauşescu really tarted up the orders and decorations of Romania once he took power. I compared my 1964-1965 Orders of the Star to an RSR peroiod one and the difference is night and day. Shame, really, because the Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej period decorations easily rival those of the USSR and Czechoslovakia in quality.

Since the Order of Tudor Vladimirescu was founded around the time of the change from RPR to RSR, I often wondered if any were made to the old standards of quality.

Edited December 30, 2005 by Eric Schena

[HuliganRS]

I was offered a 1st class in gold. At least the seller claimed it was gold and wanted to charge me accordingly

Rusty.

[Paul R]

Ed,

Thank you for your fine additions to this thread! The Romanian's had some beautiful Orders!!!

What is the rarity of these orders you posted?

Paul

[dragos03]

There are some serial numbered awards from both the RPR and the RSR period.

In the early RPR period most awards, including badges, were numbered. Some examples here:

http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?showtopic=2732

Also, there are solid gold examples of the 1st/2nd class of the orders. These were given to high party officials or very important foreigners.

[Paul R]

Anyone have any others to share?

[Carol I]

Are there ribbons for all these stars when they were not worn?

Here is an image of an Order of Labour third class with its ribbon.

[Carol I]

Medalia ?A 50-a aniversare a Partidului Comunist Rom?n? (The Medal "The 50th anniversary of the Romanian Communist Party") - 1971

[Carol I]

Medalia ?25 de ani de la proclamarea Republicii? (The Medal "25 years since the proclamation of the Republic") - 1972

[Carol I]

Medalia ?30 de ani de la eliberarea Rom?niei de sub dominaţia fascistă? (The Medal "30 years since the liberation of Romania from under the fascist domination ") - 1974

[Carol I]

Medalia comemorativă ?A 40-a aniversare a revoluţiei de eliberare socială şi naţională, antifascistă şi antiimperialistă? (The Commemorative Medal "The 40th anniversary of the social and national, antifascist and anti-imperialist liberation revolution") - 1984

[Paul R]

Carol I,

Thank you for your additions. I find the Order of Labour to be a very attractive award. It is interesting to see the various types of suspensions used.

[Carol I]

Carol I,

Thank you for your additions.

You're welcome, Paul.

[Guest Rick Research]

The straight metal backings for these ribboned medals looks VERY similar to what was/is used in North Korea!

Were groups of medals worn singly, or on multiple medals bars, Soviet style?

[Carol I]

The straight metal backings for these ribboned medals looks VERY similar to what was/is used in North Korea!

It is only a coincidence. In fact the shape was a return to the traditional Romanian style of folding the ribbons.

Were groups of medals worn singly, or on multiple medals bars, Soviet style?

I do not know the answer to this one.

[Carol I]

Ordinul Meritul Militar, cl. I (Military Merit Order, 1st class)