Uruguay, Republic. An 1865-1869 War With Paraguay, Officer’s Medal

Ejercito Aliado contra el Paraguay. Instituted in 1891. In blackened iron, a large arrow cross with a wreath in each quadrant, the obverse medallion features the Uruguay coat of arms surrounded by a wreath with a sunburst on top, in a surround inscribed CAMPANA DEL PARAGUAY 1865-1869, the reverse center presents the inscription A LAS VIRTUDES MILITARES, surrounded by a ring inscribed REPUBLIC ORIENTAL OF URUGUAY, suspended from a silver starburst with face in the center and horizontal bar on reverse for ribbon attachment, measures 41mm (w) x 57.5mm (h – inclusive of sunburst suspension), weighs 20.0 grams, accompanied by a red replacement ribbon, extremely dark patina, light contact wear, Footnote:

Footnote: The medal was instituted by a decree of April 4, 1891 and awarded to the military of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, who had taken part in the war with Paraguay. The war was triggered by the expansionist aims of the Paraguayan dictator Francisco Solano López but had much to do with control of the rich River Plate area. The war ended in defeat for Paraguay, from which it would take her decades to recover, and greater independence of action for Uruguay