Romania, Kingdom. A Trans Danube Cross and Commemorative Medal for the War of 1913

A pair of Romanian awards, including a Trans Danube Cross (Cruce Trecerea Dunarei), in silvered and blackened iron, magnetic, measuring 43 mm (w) x 48.7 mm (h - inclusive of its integral suspension), original ribbon, and in near extremely fine condition. A Commemorative Medal for the War of 1913 (Medalia Avantul TariiI), in silvered bronze, marked R on the edge, measuring 33 mm (w) x 49.5 mm (h - inclusive of its wreath suspension), on incorrect original ribbon, scattered silvering wear, and in near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Trans-Danube Cross 1877 (AKA Crossing of the Danube Cross) was instituted 23 March 1878 by the High Decree No.617 of the Domnitor (Prince) of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia Carol I, in commemoration of the Romanian War of Independence, the military campaign against the Ottoman Empire (1877-1878). According to a treaty signed in Bucharest on 16 April 1877, Russian troops were allowed to pass through the territory of principalities via the newly built Eiffel bridge in Ungheni and cross the Danube, provided Russia respected Romanian integrity. About 120,000 Romanian soldiers were concentrated in the southern border ready to defend their country against an eventual attack of the Ottoman Empire from the south of the Danube. Romanians entered heavy fighting in August 1877 and took part in the conquest of Plevna, after which returned to the Danube and won the battles of Vidin and Smârdan. Romania finally gained its independence from the Porte after the Ottoman Empire requested an armistice on 19 January 1878, following an ultimate victory of the Russian-led coalition. The Central Powers recognized the Independence of Romania under the Treaty of Berlin on 13 July 1878. The Cross was issued to military personnel, civilian officials, civilian medics and sanitary corps, as well as to allied Russian officers, NCOs and other ranks. The Commemorative Medal for the War of 1913 (AKA Medal for the Upsurge of the Nation) was created on 7 November 1913 and awarded for participation in the Second Balkan War. During the First Balkan War of 1912, an alliance of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and Serbia threw the Ottoman Turks out of almost all their remaining European territories. However, the victors fell out over the division of the spoils, with Serbia and Greece forming an alliance against Bulgaria and the Second Balkan War broke out at the end of June. After initial setbacks, Bulgarian military successes stabilized the front in Macedonia. The situation was transformed by the opportunistic invasion of Bulgaria by Romania on July 10th, leaving the former in a hopeless position. As a result, Romania gained Southern Dobruja (The Quadrilateral) despite its overwhelming Bulgar and Turkish population, a situation only reversed in 1940 and confirmed in 1947.

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.