WW1 WW2 KINGDOM GREECE ROYAL ORDER GEORGE I COMMEMORATIVE BRONZE CROSS MEDAL

Description

Offered is an original Greek Royal order of George I commemorative cross in case of issue.

Features a 46mm high bronze cross pattée concave, with crossed swords between the arms, on integral crown suspension; the face with a central medallion bearing the crowned cipher of King George I encircled by the inscription ‘ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ ΗΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ’ (The People’s Love is my Strength) within a laurel wreath; the reverse bearing the dates ‘1863-1915-1913’; on original ribbon, with case of issue.

The Order was created by King Constantine I in honour of the memory of his father on 16 January 1915. The dates are those of the reign of King George I and the establishment of the Order. The Commemorative Bronze Cross with crossed swords was intended to honour non-commissioned officers and soldiers. It appears that no awards were made prior to the establishment of the Second Republic in 1924. In the late 1920s a second issue of the cross was created by the King in exile and was awarded from the restoration of the monarchy in 1935 until its overthrow in 1973. The Cross is increasingly hard to find.