Cuba, Socialist Republic. An Order of Playa Girón, Single Class, c.1980

(Orden de Playa Girón). Instituted 1961. Type II (1979-). A rare 2nd type silver-gilt medal, the obverse centre consisting of an engraved armed soldier walking over the map of northern Caribbean, surrounded by a surmounted enameled Cuban flag on the top, with flanked silver laurel branches, as well as extending gear teeth on the bottom, reverse displaying a superposed silver medallion bearing the Cuban coat of arms surrounded by the inscription REPUBLICA DE CUBA CONSEJO DE ESTADO (Cuban Republic Council of State), measuring 44.51 mm (w) x 50.31 mm (h - inclusive integral ring), presenting light contact and minor lost of white enamels, suspended by original pentagonal ribbon with pinback, accompanied by the ribbon bar with pinback, as well as its hard-shelled case in plastic with dark-green thread medal bed, very good.

Footnote: The Order of Playa Girón is a Cuban order conferred to Cubans and foreigners for their leadership actions against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, and who have contributed to the peace and progress of humankind. It was established in 1961 and is named after the Playa Girón, site where the Cuban army defeated the paramilitary invasion groups at the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961.