BULGARIA: Commemorative Medal for the 80th Jubilee of Princess Clementine

[stratasfan]

Established 22 May/3 June 1899 and was a commemorative medal awarded for loyal and faithful service to officers, non-comissioned officers and enlisted men of the 9th Plovdivski Reg't. This was awarded at a special ceremony in Plovdiv.

 

Princess Clementine was the mother of the Monarch and the patron of the 9th Plovdivski Infantry since being appointed its Chief on 14 January 1888. The Princess spent large amounts maintaining and equipping the regiment until her death, resulting in this being one of the best equipped units in the Bulgarian military at the time.

 

This medal is rather rare, as it was awarded only to men of a single regiment.

 

DESCRIPTION

Circular 32mm medal with laterally-pierced ball suspension. Some sources indicate that the ribbon was initially light blue with some yellow stripes (the colours of her Father and her personal Coat of Arms). The ribbon that exists is black with thin light blue edges.

 

OBVERSE

The crowned cipher of Princess Clementine, a six-pointed star and scrolls above and below, circumscribed ‘ЧЕСТЬ ВѢРНОСТЬ’ (In honour of fidelity).

 

REVERSE

The Bourbon fleur-de-lis of Princess Clementine’s family circumscribed ’22 МАЙ 1899’ (22 May 1899 – date of the presentation marking her 80th Anniversary) and ‘14 ЯНУАРИЙ 1888’ (14 January 1888 – date she became patron of the 9th Plovdiv Infantry Regiment).

 

CLASSES

This decoration was awarded in three classes -

 

GOLD to members of the Royal family and senior staff officers

SILVER to the officers of the regiment and government ministers present

BRONZE to the men of the regiment

 

 

PICTURES (courtesy of bulgariandecorations.com)

 

Gold (Obverse)

 

Silver (Reverse)

 

Bronze (Obverse)

 

 

If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned, or more information about the medal itself . . . please feel free to share it here!

 

[GAP]

Here’s mine, wrong ribbon I believe.