Miniature silver-gilt and white enamelled cross pattée with eyelet and oval silver-gilt laurel wreath for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular medallion bearing a white rose of Finland on a gilt ground within a deep blue enamel ring imposed centrally on a gilt cross gammée; the reverse plain gilt with Helsinki silver hallmarks for 1951; diameter 15.61mm (0.61 inch); on original ribbon with wire top bar with loop for wear.
The Order was created on 16 December 1940 from the previous Cross of Liberty which had been founded on 4 March 1918 at the time of Finland’s war for independence.
It is Finland’s premier order and, since 1960, may only be awarded for active military service in time of war.
This example is of either the 1941 type awarded during the Continuation War or the 1945 type current today.
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