The Cross of Liberty Awards

[dastier]

The Cross of Liberty was instituted in 1918 and re-commissioned in 1939. There were various grades from the Grand Cross to the 4th class Liberty Cross. The Cross of Liberty Orders are consider Finland highest military distinctions. Caveat Emptor - these are being faked.

Shown is my Military Division 4th class Liberty Cross. The front of the cross is black enamel with a silver Finnish style swastika and a white rose in the center. The reverse is a black enamel cross with '1939' in the center. This Order has 'swords' surrounded by a wreath on a Military Division ribbon. The 'swords' are presented by two arms - one brandishing a sword on the left, and the other a scimitar on the right. I believe this signifies that the award was given for gallantry in battle (please correct me if I am wrong). The Cross of Liberty Civilian Division is blue enamel instead of black.

The Military Division ribbon in form of a semi-bow is red with two white stripes placed centrally. There is also a Civilian Division ribbon, yellow with red stripes from 1941 onwards. Note that in 1939 the ribbon for the Civilian Division was also red with white stripes.





Apologies for the slightly out of focus pics. Long day.

[dastier]

Shown are my Medals of Liberty 1st and 2nd Class including one with the Red Cross.

1939 Medal of Liberty 2nd Class


1941 Medal of Liberty 2nd Class


Medal of Liberty 1st Class with Red Cross








Again Caveat Emptor...

[Alan M]

Very nice medals Mike , the Liberty cross 4th class is a super design .

[TrondK]

Good looking medals. Thanks for sharing!

[dastier]

Here is another 1941 dated Medal of Liberty, 1st Class that I have. Apologies for the medal being within the plastic sleeve when I snapped the photo - I was in a rush.

[Walkwolf]

Seldom seen medals - Nice !

[dastier]

I also want to point out the different hallmarks on the two 1st Class Medals of Liberty: on the one with the Red Cross, the hallmark has the Finnish crown stamp. On the other it appears to have a heart stamp - however I think it may be the Swedish triple crowns stamp. I believe Finland did get some awards made in Sweden by Sporrong & Co., Stockhom.

Reference: Basic Hallmarks Identification

Update: On the 1941 Liberty Medal the hallmark in question is the Finnish crown and not the Swedish triple crown stamp.

[dastier]

Here's a link to Finnish date codes. Date codes are important to verify if that advertised medal is indeed from the period its claimed to be. Some Finnish medals were produced post war and collectors should be aware that unscrupulous or just plain unaware seller might advertise a medal as prewar or WW2 when its not.

http://www.925-1000.com/Ffinland_Date_Code.html

[dastier]

Finnish date codes to 1945:



Finnish makers mark Suomen Kultaseppa OY - Hammer with Wings:


Finnish Postwar Medal of Liberty 1st Class with Sporrong and Co makers mark:


Finnish 1941 Medal of Liberty 1st Class with Hopeatehdas OY makers mark:


Unknown (to me) Finnish makers mark:

[Eric Zentner]

Those are nice thanks for showing them.

Eric