Romania - Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander Cross (1881–1941) (Ordinul Coroana României, Crucea de Comandor)
The Order of the Crown of Romania (Ordinul Coroana României) was established on May 10, 1881, by King Carol I, coinciding with his coronation as King of Romania. This prestigious order was awarded to Romanian and foreign citizens in recognition of exceptional service to the state, military, and society.
The Commander Cross (this piece) is a high-ranking decoration, awarded between 1881 and 1941, and was worn around the neck.
Following the abolition of the Romanian monarchy in 1947, the order was permanently discontinued as a state award. However, it continues to exist as a dynastic order conferred by the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
Specifications
Institution: Established May 10, 1881, by King Carol I.
Period: 1881–1941 official issue (discontinued as a state award in 1947).
Dimensions: 60.62 mm (height) x 59.46 mm (width).
Material: Silver-gilt with intricate enamel details.
Hallmark:
"JRF ARG" (Joseph Resch Fii) – Confirms that this piece was manufactured by one of Romania’s most prominent jewelers of the era.
Adds historical value and authenticity.
Condition:
Very good, with minimal signs of wear (please refer to pictures for condition details).
Design Features
Obverse (Front) Details
Elegant Maltese cross with enamel arms, signifying chivalry and distinction..
Central medallion inscription:
"PRIN NOI INSINE" (By Ourselves), reflecting Romania’s national independence.
Crown of Romania, symbolizing the sovereignty of the monarchy.
"14 MARTIE 1881", marking the official proclamation of the Kingdom of Romania.
Reverse (Back) Details
Central medallion white border inscription:
"1866 * 1877 * 1881", representing key milestones in Romanian history:
1866 – King Carol I’s accession to the throne.
1877 – Romania’s declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
1881 – The official proclamation of the Kingdom of Romania.
Middle of the medallion inscription:
"10. MAIU" (May 10), commemorating the coronation of King Carol I.
Historical Context
Creation & Purpose
Established in 1881, coinciding with Romania’s transformation into a kingdom.
Awarded for exceptional service in civilian, military, and diplomatic fields.
Military & Civilian Divisions
From 1938 onward, the Order was divided into:
Civilian Division (standard design).
Military Division (Peacetime, 1932–1947) – Distinguished by a crown above the cross.
Military Division (Wartime, 1938–1947) – Features a crown and crossed swords.
In 1939, a special grade for women was introduced.
Hierarchy of the Order
The Order of the Crown of Romania was awarded in five classes:
Grand Cross (Mare Cruce) – Worn with a sash and Breast Star.
Grand Officer (Mare Ofițer) – Worn with a Breast Star and neck ribbon.
Commander (Comandor) – Worn around the neck (this piece).
Officer (Ofițer) – Worn on a chest ribbon with rosette.
Knight (Cavaler) – Entry-level rank, worn on a plain chest ribbon.
Awarding & Discontinuation
Awarded until 1947, when King Michael I was forced to abdicate and Romania became a Communist state.
Continued as a dynastic order under the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
Modern versions exist but are unofficial compared to pre-1947 awards.
This Romania - Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander Cross (1881–1941) is a historically significant and highly collectible decoration, representing Romania’s monarchy and national achievements.
The inscriptions on the obverse and reverse further enhance its historical relevance, marking:
"14 MARTIE 1881" – The proclamation of the Kingdom of Romania.
"1866 * 1877 * 1881" – Key historical dates of Romanian independence.
"10. MAIU" – The coronation date of King Carol I.
Despite being discontinued as a state award in 1947, it remains a valuable piece of Romanian history, particularly due to its original JRF ARG hallmark from Joseph Resch Fii.
With intact enamel, fine craftsmanship, and confirmation of Commander Class status, this piece is an essential addition to any collection of European chivalric orders.
For authentication and valuation, please refer to the provided pictures to assess condition, enamel quality, and overall presentation.