Cuba, Republic. An Order of Playa Girón, 1979 Version

(Orden Playa Girón) Three-piece construction, 45,1 mm wide, 53,5 mm high including suspension ring, weighing 43,8 grams, silvered and gilt metal with red and blue enamel displaying a soldier standing with rifle in front of an array of flags motif, encircled by the inscription “Playa Girón Cuba,” a red enamel field above representing the Soviet Union separated by a gilt star from the Cuban national colours, reverse displaying the Cuban national coat of arms circumscribed “Republica de Cuba / Consejo de Estado,” fitted with a pentagonal ribbon of red, blue, white, and olive green stripes, accompanied by its matching ribbon bar, overall very fine.

Footnotes: The Orden Playa Girón was instituted by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba on 10 April 1961 to commemorate the victory of Cuban revolutionary forces over the United States–backed invasion at Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs). It is awarded to Cuban and foreign individuals for exceptional contributions to the defence of socialism, revolutionary solidarity, and the strengthening of the Cuban state. The 1979 version introduced a new multicoloured ribbon pattern and minor construction changes distinguishing it from earlier issues.