Romania, Independence war medal

[Igor Ostapenko]

Private French issue ? 

[Carol I]

I only have general information about this medal. It was established on 5th of June 1878 and was awarded to all mobilised personnel, irrespective whether they took part to operations across the Danube or remained north of the Danube, as well as to civilian personnel supporting the operations (e.g., civilian medical personnel caring for the wounded) and local militia units involved in operations.

[Igor Ostapenko]

Thank you, 

 

anybody have this not rare medal in collection ? 

 

[paja]

How exactly rare are they? Is the number of awarded pieces known? 
Wikipedia article about Russo-Turkish War states that Romania had 66.000 soldiers and 4300 KIA and missing. According to that at least 61700 medals were awarded, but certainly that number must have been larger.

[Igor Ostapenko]

This medal not rare 

[paja]

Thanks, here's one of the recipients, Serbian king Milan.
Defenders of Independence Medal is on the last place of his medal bar, next to the Virtutea Militara.

[Igor Ostapenko]

Some photo 

medal like private issue