MedalBook

Author	Product	Attribute	Created	Updated
Overseas_Orders88	Order of the White Eagle, Type III, Military Division, V Class	Description	September 4, 2019 7:05pm	September 4, 2019 7:11pm

Current Value

The Order of the White Eagle was introduced by King Milan I on January 23, 1883 (Russian method of dating) to commemorate the restoration of the kingdom of Serbia, proclaimed on February 22, 1882 in Belgrade. The Order was designed by historian Stojan Novakovich, who combined two medieval royal symbols of Serbia: the double-headed white eagle (1309-19) and the red escutcheon with the white cross (1402).

The Order was established with five classes awarded in recognition of "services rendered to the King, the Royal Household, and the State in all branches of the national administration or public life." Starting in Class V, this Order was awarded by classes, recipients should remain in a specific class at least two years before the next class could be awarded. It was conferred to military personnel as well as civilians, and to nationals and foreigners alike. In 1915, the decorations with swords were added to honor Officers of the Serbian Army for merits in the battle field. The Order had no motto.

The Serbian system of decoration was completely reorganized by Peter I Karageorgevich once he assumed the throne following the May Coup of 1903. By then, the 
 reverse medallion of the Order was modified. In 1941, the Order was dissolved along with the capitulation of the Yugoslav Kingdom.

In Medalbook, this order is classified into three types. Type I contains the civil awards granted before 1903, and Type II consists of the civil awards granted afterwards. Type III presents the insignia with sword, introduced since 1915.

In Type III, the Swords were introduced by King Peter I Karageorgevich on May 28, 1915. They were added to reward Serbian and foreign Officers in recognition of services rendered in wartime. Many Officers of the Allied Army were awarded with Swords.

The I Class with Swords were placed following the Order of the Star of Karageorge with Swords in order of precedence.

The first badges with Swords were made by Arthus-Bertrand during WWI. After the war, the badge were manufactured also by Huguenin Freres, Rothe  & Neffer, and Fran Sorlini, among others. The swords were applied to the blue bands of the badges.

Many pieces with Swords were old pieces that were later adapted to the swords.

Suggested Value

In Type III, the Swords were introduced by King Peter I Karageorgevich on May 28, 1915. They were added to reward Officers, whether Serbian or foreign, in recognition of services rendered in wartime. Many Officers of the Allied Army were awarded with Swords. The I Class with Swords Of the White Eagle was placed following the Order of the Star of Karageorge with Swords in order of precedence.

The first badges with Swords were made by Arthus-Bertrand during WWI. After the war, the badge was manufactured also by Huguenin Freres, Rothe  & Neffer, and Fran Sorlini, among others. The swords were applied to the blue bands of the badges. Version features vary; the quality, materials and sizes are different depending on the manufacturer. Many pieces from the previous period were used to add swords.

Contribution