Romania, Kingdom. A Medal for Military Virtue, 2nd Class, Silver Grade, c.1915

Type II. Wartime Issue. In silver, type II with voided areas between the centrepiece and wreath, 37.8 mm (w) x 42.5 mm (h) inclusive of its ball suspension, original ribbon, light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Medal for Military Virtue Medal was a Romanian military decoration, instituted on April 8, 1872, by King Carol I. A previous version, called Pro Virtute Militari, was established by Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1860 for the veterans of the Dealul Spirii battle (1848) between the revolutionaries and the Ottomans, but it was issued to the recipients later, in 1866, due to political reasons (Romania was still under Ottoman suzerainty). The medal had two classes, the 1st Class (in gold) being awarded to the officers, and the 2nd Class (in silver) to non-commissioned officers and the other enlisted ranks. After the Order of Michael the Brave was instituted in 1916, the Medal for Military Virtue Medal was issued only to the NCO's and soldiers.

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.