Medal "In Service To The Socialist Nation".

[Greg Collins]

Here's a group you don't see every day. I'm not going to call these medals rare (someone with more expertise than I will have to do that); I will say that they are rarely seen. The medal on the right, which is the most common of the trio, is the Medal for Distinguished Services in Defense of the Social Order and the Country (Medalia "Pentru servicii deosebite aduse în apãrarea orânduirii sociale ºi de stat") issued from 1968. The other two are the Medal for Service to Socialist Country (Medalia "În serviciul patriei socialiste") - Gold (1st Class-RPR) and Silver (2nd Class-RSR) issued from 1963. The case is cardboard without any feux covering, and is for the 1st Class Medal of Service...

[desantnik]

Nice decorations!

[deValcourt]

Now this one is so rarely seen that I am having doubts as to whether it is really a Secutitat medal 2nd Class, as the seller says. Nonetheless, we are in negotiations on right now so if anyone knows for sure (Greg?) that it is what he says it is, I'll continue with coming to an agreed price.

Also, if it is what he says it is, what period in time are we talking about?

I apologize but this is the only picture I've gotten from the seller so far.

Thanks guys,
Phillip

[Greg Collins]

Guys,

Sorry it has taken so long for me to get back on this- I have been "overcome by events of late".

The award pictured is a Medal for Service to Socialist Country (Medalia "In serviciul patriei socialiste"), established in 1963. The level is 2nd, or Silver, class. Prior to 1965, it will have "RPR" on the banner of the seal (making this version rarer); after that it will have "RSR" in the same position. It could be awarded to anyone in the Internal Ministry- Securitate, Security Troops or Militie (Police). There are two levels of this award; 1st or Gold class, and 2nd or Silver class- no 3rd class here.

It looks perfectly genuine to me. Be advised that these are no, per se, high end awards. Prices generally begin at $20 and extend to $35 depending on condition. And, there are better deals on these to be had at times.

[deValcourt]

Greg, you are correct about "better deals." I picked up a 1st class when I saw it immediately so that I would have both types. The cost was somewhere around $30 with shipping. The next day, I saw another gold one for sale from another (new) seller for $17 with shipping. I ended up getting both, but to tell the truth, I've never actually looked at the area you were talking about above to see if there were any RSR or RPR markings before I bought them. As it turned out, I ended up with one of each.

The pictures are of the RPR/RSR gold and silver getting closer and finally a not-so-clear closeup of just the RPR seal.

If you hadn't told me more about these, I would never have noticed there was a difference. Thanks Greg.:thumbsup

Phillip