3rd class Cross of Liberty with Red Cross 1939

[Hans N]

My latest addition to my finnish collection

[Dansson]

Congratulations, only 48 awarded of the 3.class with red cross 1939 model. A rare cross.

[Ulrica]

My grandmother was awarded this medal. Naturally, I am very curious to know more about it and you all seem so knowledgeable.

I am not sure if a certificate exists, is that important, or not so much? Thanks in advance.

[JohanH]

Hello Ulrica!

Beautiful 3rd class libertycross!

Was your grandmother from Finland or was she a volunteer?

These liberty crosses with red cross in the center was awarded to doctors, nurses and for medical merits during the winter war of 1939.

An original award certificate makes the lot worth more money since the few awarded (48) pieces.

[Ulrica]

Thank you, JohanH.

She was Portuguese, wife of a Dane and did a lot of work for the Red Cross.

I guess I will have to look for the certificate

[JohanH]

Interesting! 

I don’t know how many of these crosses that was awarded to non-finns. 

Do you have her other medals too? 

There should atleast be a winter war medal for foreigners. 

If you wonder anything else, just let me know and i’ll try to help. 

[Ulrica]

No, just a few others Portuguese Red Cross.

What does the winter medal for foreigners look like?

[JohanH]

I will post a pic as soon I get home. 

[JohanH]

Here is the pictures.

The winter war medal (TsMM) exists in four different versions for foreigners.
Iron - Awarded about 10 000 times
Bronze - Awarded 1961 times
Silver - Awarded 42 times
Gold - Awarded 7 times

Your grandmother should have been awarded a iron medal. Bronze and silver was given to people who helped Finland with recruiting, propaganda and stuff like that. And people who helped with fundraising.

Gold was only awarded to heads of state and similar. They are impossible to obtain for a collector. Silver is very difficult to find.

The difference between the medals awarded to foreigners and the ones awarded to Finns is the reverse. And also the size, the foreign one´s is a bit larger. Finnish medals have the text "Kunnia Isänmaa" which translates to "Honor Fatherland"

Please see pictures. The medal exists with different clasps and swords if the awardee have been under enemy fire.

This medal is with the original award bag.

 

 

 

Bronze medal. The ring on the ribbon is a owner made thing. Not original.

 

And a silver one. Unfortunately this is only an official museum copy. Made for a finnish museum.
But I have a real hallmarked medal on the way.  One of the 42 awarded....

[JohanH]

I also have this prototype medal from the designer of the medal, Aarno Karimo. It exists 15 different clasps on the Finnish medals. Just let me know if ýou want pictures. I have them all.

 

 

[Ulrica]

Thank you so much, if she was awarded any of those, I haven't got it. They are amazing.

From what I heard, she helped with fundraising as a volunteer (article in a Portuguese newspaper at the time), and maybe something else.

My grandfather and her were Mannerheim's good friends, maybe after she was awarded the medal, who knows. We have several of his letters (with his face on the stamp )and photographs. All in French, of course. Thank you, JohanH, that was very enlightening.

[JohanH]

That is very interesting!

May I see some pictures of the medals and stuff you have?
If you don´t want to post it here you can PM me.

And of course, if you want to sell anything. Just let me know...

 

 

[Ulrica]

I will, tomorrow, as they are in a frame. But they are mostly Portuguese.

 

 

[JohanH]

Great!

I´m looking forward to see it.

Medalgroups and medals with a history is very interesting. Especially if they have letters from the greatest finn ever. Mannerheim.
Who is actually a distant relative to me.

 

[Ulrica]

Amazing! A true great Finn! I have two books signed by him, will send it tomorow.

[Ulrica]

Sorry about the quality of the pictures, I tried to send by PM, but it didn't allow me to post the pictures.

As you are a Suede, there is no need to translate the writing.

Letters and photos are not with me, I will have to go through them and hopefully find the certificate

Edited May 26, 2018 by Ulrica
spelling

[JohanH]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

What a collection of medals! Amazing!

It must be worth several thousands euro.

 

The signed books is also very nice! It´s a bit hard to find stuff signed by Mannerheim.
I have been looking for a autograph of him for some time. But no luck.

[BalkanCollector]

Amazing collection! 

[JanneP]

On 24/05/2018 at 18:38, Ulrica said:

My grandmother was awarded this medal. Naturally, I am very curious to know more about it and you all seem so knowledgeable.

I am not sure if a certificate exists, is that important, or not so much? Thanks in advance.

Really nice looking! I might be unpolite but if you ever consider selling it I am interested in.