Médal, BENE MERENTI. Romania. Instituted 1876. 1881 type

(Medalia Bene Merenti). Type II (1881-1931). On one side left facing profile of King Carol I with the surrounding inscription CAROLUS I REX ROMANIAE, the reverse presents a central inscription BENE MERENTI surrounded by a raised laurel wreath, measures slightly over 30 mm. Rare medal

The medal was instituted by Royal Decree 314 on 20 February 1876 (Julian calendar) and was the first Romanian non-military award, to be given in recognition of merit in the arts, science, industry and agriculture. The original medal was circumscribed ‘CAROLUS I PRINCEPS ROMAINIAE’ as Romania was then a Principality. After 1881, when Romania became a Kingdom, the circumscription was changed as on our medals.The medal was suppressed on 19 July 1931 by Royal Decree 2684 and replaced by the Order of Cultural Merit.