Medalii și decorații din colecția Institutului de Arheologie din Iași (III)

Abstract

In the present study the authors focus on the Austro-Hungarian medals and hat-pins that represent the most numerous group in the Institute of Archaeology’s collection. The 24 pieces cover mainly the First World War period but other  commemorative or bravery medals are also to be found. On the other hand the hat pins offer a valuable source of information. Worn either by front troops or sold for war-funding, these insignia have a huge propagandistic value in justifying the fight against the enemy as a right cause. As a multi-ethnic empire, Austria-Hungary struggled until the end to keep its legacy intact and these awards, besides rewarding heroism in combat, were meant to bond their bearers to the Empire.