JapanX

Two presidents after friendly exchange (with reluctant Bolivar behind their backs )

Now a photo gallery of 2nd type order holders. Please welcome notorious fighter for world peace (Protector of Freedom, Fighter №1 against Capitalist World, etc, etc, etc…) and holder of the Gran Cordón Mr. Hugo Chavez! Few minutes ago he presented Gran Collar of the Orden del Libertador to President of Uruguay Tabare Vazquez.

Badge obverse

Breast star obverse

Time to take a look at modern version of Gran Cordón. On sash

2nd type (1992-present time) Orden de la República Oriental del Uruguay was reinstituted on August 28, 1992 in six classes - Collar - Gran Cordón - Gran Oficial - Comandante - Oficial - Caballero Awarding criteria remained the same “to foreign persons in recognition of meritorious acts or extraordinary contributions to the country or in reciprocity”. Gran chancellor of the order is the president of the Republic and he is the holder of the collar. The most significant change was the design of the order. Instead of coat of arms superimposed on latin cross the order became one big coat of arms and the ribbon colour was changed from white and blue to blue colour.

It is believed that the Order became obsolete in 1985 with the fall of the military regime. Let me remind you that President of Uruguay Jorge Pacheco declared a state of emergency in 1968, followed by a further suspension of civil liberties in 1972. In 1973, amid increasing economic and political turmoil, the armed forces closed the Congress and established a civilian-military regime that went on for the next 12 years. A new constitution, drafted by the military, was rejected in a November 1980 referendum. Following the referendum the armed forces announced a plan for the return to civilian rule, and national elections were held in 1984. Colorado Party leader Julio María Sanguinetti won the presidency and served from 1985 to 1990. But why these new “democratic leaders” should despise this “old” decoration? Was it really that “old” and closely associated with military junta? I can’t speak by the book there... Personally I couldn’t find any documents connected with abolition of this order. But amazing scarcity of this order is strong case for this “obsolete after 1985” hypothesis. Most likely nobody cancelled this order – “democrats” simply ignored it. But everything changed in 1992 when this order was reintroduced (with slightly modified statute and new design).

Coat of arms close up

Close ups

And now example of caballero badge. Obverse/reverse

Dimensions of the Gran Cruz Breast star width 91,68 mm Breast star height 92,06 mm Breast star weight 77,68 grams Badge width 51,72 mm Badge height 51,72 mm Badge height with the eye 54,72 mm Badge weight 77,68 grams Sash width 100 mm (white stripe and blue stripe width is exactly 50mm)

Badge reverse

Badge obverse

Brest star reverse (typical for Cejalvo hardware)

Brest star reverse (check out this beautiful pin!)

Breast star obverse

Its time to take a look at Gran Cruz On sash

The design The design of 1st type order is Uruguay coat of arms (enamelled blue with white) superimposed on latin cross (enamelled blue with white edge) with graduated ribbed rays with forked ends between its arms (badges have 52 rays (13 rays between every two arms) and breast star has 56 rays). A white enamel ribbon placed below coat of arms and inscribed “ORDEN DE LA REPÚBLICA”. The order ribbon colours are white and blue (colours of national flag). It looks like the one and only manufacturer of 1st type orders in all classes was Cejalvo in Madrid. Lower classes were made in silver, higher classes in silver gilt.

1st type (1984-1992) Orden de la República Oriental del Uruguay was instituted by decree № 15529 of March 2, 1984 in six classes (categorías) - Collar - Gran Cruz - Banda (cuando se trate de seсoras) - Comendador - Oficial - Caballero Decree states that this order will be awarded “to foreign persons in recognition of meritorious acts or extraordinary contributions to the country or in reciprocity” (“a personalidades extranjeras en reconocimiento por actos meritorios o extraordinarios prestados al país o en base a reciprocidad”). Gran chancellor of the order is president of the Republic (“El Presidente de la República es el Presidente de la Orden”). The order could be awarded by the decision of the President or by the decision of the Honorary Council of the Order (“Consejo Honorario de la Orden”) which includes President, Foreign Minister (as Chancellor of the Order), one civilian representative from executive government, one civilian representative from legislative government, one civilian representative from judicial government, one representative from armed forces (Army or Navy) and one ex Ambassador of the Republic.

Beautiful and rare Order of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay/Orden de la República Oriental del Uruguay This one certainly should be labeled as “forgotten phaleristic treasure” Most medal sites (where you can find Uruguay section) simply ignore this order like it was never existed (this is very strange because this order is still active!). Other sites give you incomplete and inaccurate information. So I think it is a good idea to talk about this mysterious order.

Grand Cross?! Anybody saw this one?

Reverse

Super nice Miro! Obverse close up

Another great buy! Congrats! Cool piece! Thanks for posting mate! Cheers, Nick