One of my all time favorite commemorative awards-put out in 1948 to commemorate the revolution(s) of 1848, it was allowed to be worn during the Communist era. I suspect it is a brilliant illustration of the tensions of 1948, when Hungary was being pushed towards Stalinism. The medal, beautifully made of bronze with enameled flags, (only @3,000 awards) was to perhaps remind Hungarians of their long commitment to democracy and their national identity at a time when slowly but surely, pluralism was being undermined by those who looked east.