Spain, Kingdom. A Group of Three Cuban Campaign and Service Medals

1. (Medalla de la Campaña de la Isla de Cuba) Cuba Campaign Medal 1895–1898, blackened bronze medal with ornate crown suspension and wreath border, the obverse bearing conjoined busts beneath the inscription “CAMPAÑA DE CUBA  1895-1898,” the reverse inscribed “AL EJÉRCITO DE OPERACIONES,” suspended from its original ribbon composed of alternating vertical red and violet stripes, measuring 36.8 mm x 50.8 mm inclusive of the suspension device.

2. (Medalla de la Constancia) Constancia Medal 1882, silvered bronze cross with fleur-de-lys finials, the obverse bearing the left-facing bust of Alfonso XII circumscribed “ALFONSO XII REY DE ESPAÑA 1882,” the reverse inscribed “CONSTANCIA  PATRIOTISMO  ABNEGACION,” suspended from an incorrect replacement ribbon of red with broad central yellow stripe, measuring 43.7 mm x 47.8 mm inclusive of the suspension device.

3. (Medalla de la Campaña de Cuba) Cuba Campaign Medal 1873, silvered bronze diamond-shaped medal within openwork wreath and mural crown suspension, the obverse depicting seated allegorical figure above the inscription “CAMPAÑA  DE  CUBA,” the reverse inscribed “ESPAÑA  AL  VALIENTE EJERCITO  QUE  PELEA EN DEFENSA  DE LA  PATRIA  1875,” suspended from a replacement red ribbon with central black stripe and mounted on a silvered bar, measuring 35.9 mm x 54.5 mm inclusive of the suspension device.

All items are in fine condition overall, with age-related wear, surface marks, and minor contact wear consistent with late 19th century Spanish colonial campaign decorations.

Footnote: These medals relate to Spain’s prolonged military campaigns in Cuba during the final decades of Spanish colonial rule. The Medalla de la Campaña de la Isla de Cuba of 1895–1898 commemorated service during the Cuban War of Independence, the conflict that culminated in the Spanish-American War and Spain’s loss of Cuba in 1898. The earlier Cuba Campaign Medal of 1873 was awarded during the Ten Years’ War and associated colonial operations undertaken to maintain Spanish sovereignty on the island. The Constancia Medal recognized long and faithful volunteer or auxiliary service connected to Spanish colonial administration and defence forces, rewarding perseverance, patriotism, and devotion to duty during a period of repeated colonial unrest throughout the Caribbean possessions of the Spanish Crown.