The Order of the Crown of Romania (Ordinul Coroana României) was a prestigious royal decoration, established by King Carol I on March 14, 1881, to commemorate the elevation of Romania to a kingdom. It was awarded to Romanian and foreign citizens for exceptional civil and military service.
This Commander Cross (Type I, 1881–1941) is a high-ranking decoration and represents one of the most distinguished Romanian royal orders.
Specifications
Institution: Established on March 14, 1881, by King Carol I.
Class: Commander Cross (Mid-level rank of the Order).
Type: Type I (1881–1941).
Dimensions: 62.50 mm (height) x 60.27 mm (width).
Material: Silver.
Suspension: Ball suspension (original feature of the Type I Commander Cross).
Condition:
New replacement neck ribbon (not original).
Missing reverse central medallion (please refer to pictures).
Well-preserved structure, despite missing elements.
Design Features
Obverse (Front)
Silver Maltese cross, with ball finials (hallmark of Type I design).
Central Medallion:
Depicts the Romanian royal crown, representing Romanian sovereignty and the Kingdom’s foundation.
Encircled by a white enamel ring inscribed "PRIN NOI ÎNȘINE" ("By Ourselves" – the national motto of Romania).
Reverse (Back)
Missing central medallion (originally featured the order’s founding date and King Carol’s monogram).
White enamel ring inscription (originally featured dates 1866, 1877, and 1881, commemorating Romania’s unification and independence).
Suspension & Ribbon
Suspended from a ball suspension, a defining feature of Type I (1881–1941) Commander crosses.
New neck ribbon (not original but functional for display or wear).
Historical Context
Significance of the Order
Created to mark Romania’s transition from a principality to a kingdom in 1881.
Awarded for meritorious achievements in public service, diplomacy, and military efforts.
Conferred both in peacetime and wartime, including for bravery during World War I.
Hierarchy of the Order
The Order of the Crown of Romania had several classes:
Grand Cross (highest distinction, worn with a sash and breast star).
Grand Officer (second-highest, breast star without a sash).
Commander (mid-ranking, worn around the neck – this piece).
Officer (worn on the chest with a ribbon rosette).
Knight (entry-level grade, simple chest decoration).
Romania’s Role & Use of the Order (1881–1941)
World War I (1916–1918): Awarded to Romanian and Allied officers for distinguished military service.
Interwar period: Used to recognize diplomatic achievements, civil service, and contributions to Romanian culture and industry.
World War II (1941): Continued to be awarded until King Michael I abolished Romanian royal orders in 1947.
This Romania – Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander Cross (Type I, 1881–1941) is a significant historical decoration, awarded for distinguished service in the Kingdom of Romania.
Authentic mid-level rank of Romania’s premier royal order.
Type I design with ball suspension (rarer than later versions).
Missing reverse medallion, but structure and details remain well-preserved.
For authentication and valuation, please refer to the provided pictures to assess condition, craftsmanship, and overall presentation.