Romania, Socialist Republic. An Order Of Tudor Vladimirescu, V Class, C.1970

(Ordinul Tudor Vladimirescu, Clasa V). Instituted in 1966. 1966-1989 Issue. In bronze gilt with orange enamels, the centrepiece illustrating the bust of Tudor Vladimirescu, mounted to a base bearing ten emanating stacked rays, measuring 63.8 mm (w) x 67 mm (h), horizontal pinback, intact enamels, scattered gilt wear and green oxidation spotting on the obverse, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order was instituted on April 13, 1966 in five classes and two medals, soon after Nicolae Ceauşescu became First Secretary of the Communist Party of Romania, to be awarded for political merit and service to the Socialist Republic of Romania. Tudor Vladimirescu (1780-1821) was a revolutionary leader who sought to overthrow the Greek Phanariot rule of the Romanian provinces subject to Ottoman overlordship. Vladimirescu had fought with Russian forces in the Russo-Turkish wars of 1806-1812, and together with his perceived progressive and nationalist outlook, made him the ideal Romanian hero for the early Ceauşescu era. Vladimirescu was executed by the Greeks at Târgovişte on June 7, 1821, ironically the same place where Ceauşescu was executed in December 1989.