Scarce commemorative Medal of Antonio Guitera & theNational Revolutionary Militia 1959. Gold-gilt metal commemorative medal, ca.32 mm in diameter, in honor of revolutionary Antonio Guiteras yHolmes and the MNR/Milicias Nacionales Revolucionarias (National RevolutionaryMilitia). The MNR was founded by Fidel Castro on October 26, 1959, for thepurpose of policing the population and defending the island from the threat ofinvasion by the United States. Antonio Guiteras y Holmes was born 22 November1906 in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, but as a child came to Cuba with his family.He graduated from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Havana andmeanwhile became a proponent of revolutionary socialism; in 1932 he establishedthe Unión Revolucionaria. After Sergeant Fulgencio Batista effectively hatchedthe conspiracy that led to a coup d\'état in January 1934, Guiteras foughtagainst the new government. Guiteras and several of his supporters died in a gunbattle with Batista\'s army on 8 May 1935, at Matanzas, Cuba, while waiting fora boat to evacuate him and his supporters to México. The medal is in nearextremely fine condition, on the original suspension brooch. Authenticityguaranteed; 14-day return privilege (30 days overseas), excluding postage,provided item is returned in same condition when sold. Item will be shippedUSPS Ground Advantage Mail; will combine postage for multiple purchases.
