Romania, Kingdom. A Military Virtue Medal.

 (Virtutea Militară). Instituted in 1872. Type II. Gilt badge consists of a Maltese cross surrounded by a wreath, the obverse centerpiece bearing the head profile of Carol I, circumscribed by the words CAROL I DOMN AL ROMANIEI, the reverse centerpiece bearing the words VIRTUTE MILITARA, 40.9 mm (h) x 36.9 mm (w), extremely fine.

Footnote: The Medal for Military Virtue Medal was a Romanian military decoration, instituted on April 8, 1872, by King Carol I. A previous version, called Pro Virtute Militari, was established by Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1860 for the veterans of the Dealul Spirii battle (1848) between the revolutionaries and the Ottomans, but it was issued to the recipients later, in 1866, due to political reasons (Romania was still under Ottoman suzerainty). The medal had two classes, the 1st Class (in gold) being awarded to the officers, and the 2nd Class (in silver) to non-commissioned officers and the other enlisted ranks. After the Order of Michael the Brave was instituted in 1916, the Medal for Military Virtue Medal was issued only to the NCO's and soldiers.