Estonia, Republic. A Red Cross Medal, c.1925

Eesti Punase Risti, hõbemedal. Instituted in 1920. First Issue (1920-1940). In silvered bronze with red enamels, measuring 30 mm in diameter, intact enamels, contact marks, on its original lightly soiled folded ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The Estonian Society of the Red Cross was established on January 18, 1919 by the bringing together of those organizations already engaged in relevant work tending to the sick, wounded, prisoners of war and refugees and acceded to the International Red Cross on February 25, 1922. The Commemorative Decoration of the Estonian Red Cross was established on August 6, 1920 in a single class in the form of a silver medal. In 1925, the Decoration was reorganized into five classes and the silver medal became the 3rd Class award. In 1936, the decoration was adopted by the Estonian government with five classes and three medals. No medals were issued after the Soviet invasion of 1940 until Estonia regained its independence in 1991. This example is from the first period of Estonian independence, 1920 to 1940. Only a few hundred medals were issued, almost exclusively to Estonian citizens, and it is rare.