Cuba, Republic. A Group of Five Orders and Medals

1. (Orden Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberación, Primera Clase) Order of the Combatant of the War of Liberation, First Class, constructed in gilt and silvered bronze, five-pointed star with red enamel ring inscribed CUBA – LIBERACIÓN enclosing a gilt medallion depicting a standing soldier with his backpack looking out to sea, reverse has the shield of Cuba with pin back, measuring 41.3 mm in diameter, accompanied by its ribbon bar, in extremely fine condition.

2. (Orden Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberación, Segunda Clase) Order of the Combatant of the War of Liberation, Second Class, constructed in silvered bronze with gilt centre medallion depicting a standing soldier with his backpack looking out to sea, reverse has the shield of Cuba with pin back, measuring 41.1 mm in diameter, fine condition.

3. (Medalla Distinción 23 de Agosto) 23rd of August Distinction Medal, gilt bronze, obverse depicting a rifle before a book and a palm leaf, reverse with the inscription FEDERACIÓN DE MUJERES CUBANAS (Federation of Cuban Women), suspended from its red-white-blue diagonally divided ribbon showing light fading, measuring 36.9 mm x 47.5 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar, in very fine condition.

4. (Medalla Distinción Por el Servicio en las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias) Distinction Medal for Service in the Revolutionary Armed Forces, gilt bronze, obverse showing the Cuban coat of arms within a laurel wreath, reverse plain showing staining to the gilt surface, suspended from its green, white, and blue ribbon, measuring 37.2 mm x 46.6 mm, in fine condition.

5. (Medalla XX Aniversario de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias) 20th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Medal, gilt bronze, obverse featuring the Cuban national arms within a circular border, reverse inscribed XX ANIVERSARIO FAR 1977 [20th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, 1977] showing staining to the gilt surface, suspended from its green and dark-blue ribbon, measuring 37.4 mm x 47.0 mm, accompanied by its ribbon bar, in very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of the Combatant of the War of Liberation was established by the Republic of Cuba to recognize combatants who participated in the 1956–1959 revolutionary struggle that culminated in the overthrow of the Batista regime. It exists in two classes, with the First Class awarded to senior combatants and leaders and the Second Class to other participants in the same campaign. The 23rd of August Distinction Medal was instituted by the Federación de Mujeres Cubanas (Federation of Cuban Women) to commemorate its founding on 23 August 1960 and is bestowed upon women for outstanding service to the revolution and social development. The Distinction Medal for Service in the Revolutionary Armed Forces acknowledges faithful and meritorious service within the FAR. The 20th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Medal was created in 1977 to commemorate two decades of the institution’s existence and to honour those who contributed to its consolidation since 1957.