Medalia Comemorativă Rusa a Războiului 1877-78

Russian Commemorative Medal Of The 1877-1878 War

This medal is in fact an official decoration of the Russian Empire “Commemorative Medal Of The Russo-Turkish War 1877-1878” that was incorporated to the Romanian award system in 1878 by the Royal decree No.2141.

It was awarded to Romanian military personnel that participated in the Siege of Plevna (Pleven), one of the major struggles between the joint army of Russia and Romania and the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

“Commemorative Medal Of The Russo-Turkish War 1877-1878” was instituted on April 17, 1878 by the Russian emperor Alexander II.

It was awarded to military personnel of the Imperial Russian Armed Forces, military and civil officials, volunteers and Bulgarian militia fighters who fought in crucial battles in the Balkans, Danube, the Black Sea and the Caucasus. Medical personnel and clergymen were awarded as well.

The 26 mm circular medal was made of light bronze and had a loop for ribbon suspension.

Obverse bears an Orthodox cross imposed on radiant rays upon an Ottoman crescent and two dates: “1877” and “1878” to either side.

Reverse had an inscription “Not unto us, not unto us, but in Thy Name” (citation from the Book of Psalms) within a laurel wreath.