Cuba, Republic. A Group of Nine Military Distinction and Commemorative Medals

1. (Medalla Conmemorativa XX Aniversario 1953-1973) Commemorative Medal for the 20th Anniversary 1953-1973, gilt bronze, 40.3 mm x 45.1 mm inclusive of suspension bar, obverse with enamelled “XX” and inscription Medalla Conmemorativa Cuba 1953-1973, reverse depicting the Moncada Barracks façade, suspended from a gilt bar with floral design and accompanied by its matching ribbon bar in red and black with gilt “XX”.

2. (Medalla por Distinción en el Servicio de los Comités de Defensa de la Revolución) Medal for Distinction in Service to the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution, gilt bronze, 30.4 mm x 34.7 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse inscribed 28 de Septiembre with stylised CDR motif, reverse plain within octagonal border, on its light-blue ribbon with orange stripes and matching ribbon bar.

3. (Distinción por la Protección de las Fronteras) Distinction for the Protection of the Frontiers, silvered bronze, 30.4 mm x 34.9 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse showing soldier and dog guarding the coast beneath inscription Por la Protección de las Fronteras, reverse with Cuban coat of arms and legend República de Cuba Consejo de Estado, ribbon in alternating red and green stripes with matching bar.

4. (Distinción por Servicio Distinguido en las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias) Distinction for Distinguished Service in the Revolutionary Armed Forces, gilt bronze, 29.8 mm x 36. mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse showing busts of soldiers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, reverse inscribed República de Cuba Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Servicio Distinguido with star above, ribbon of green, light blue, red and white stripes with matching bar.

5. (Distinción por la Defensa de la Patria y la Unidad del Barrio) Distinction for the Defence of the Fatherland and Unity of the Neighbourhood, gilt bronze, 30 mm x 35.2 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse featuring the CDR emblem before a housing block and rocket with inscription Por la Defensa de la Patria y la Unidad del Barrio, reverse with national arms and legend República de Cuba Consejo de Estado, ribbon of red, white, green and blue bands with matching bar.

6. (Medalla Combatiente de la Producción y la Defensa) Medal for the Combatant of Production and Defence, gilt bronze, 30.2 mm x 35.5 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse depicting a machete and AK-47 beneath Producción y Defensa, reverse with coat of arms and Consejo de Estado, ribbon of red, green and light blue stripes with matching bar.

7. (Medalla Conmemorativa 50 Aniversario del 26 de Julio) Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of 26 July, gilt bronze, 36 mm x 41 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse inscribed 26 de Julio 50 Aniversario in relief with stylised numerals, reverse depicting Moncada Barracks, ribbon in red-and-black of the 26 July Movement with ribbon bar.

8. (Medalla al Combatiente Internacionalista) Internationalist Combatant Medal, silvered bronze, 29.7 mm x 34.5 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse showing Cuban flag over world map with inscription Combatiente Internacionalista, reverse bearing national arms and Consejo de Estado, ribbon of red with central white-blue-white stripe and ribbon bar.

9. (Medalla por el Servicio Ejemplar en las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias) Medal for Exemplary Service in the Revolutionary Armed Forces, gilt bronze, 32.0 mm x 37.0 mm inclusive of suspension ring, obverse with five-pointed star and rays surrounded by Servicio Ejemplar, reverse bearing República de Cuba Consejo de Estado, ribbon of green, blue, white and red stripes with ribbon bar.

All items are in fine to very fine condition.

Footnote: This lot represents the principal military and paramilitary decorations issued by the Republic of Cuba under the Consejo de Estado and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR) from the 1970s through the 1990s. They encompass awards for service distinction, frontier protection, civic defence through the CDR, and commemorations of key revolutionary anniversaries. The group exemplifies the Cuban system of honours during the Cold War, integrating both military merit and ideological loyalty.