Home Home
   Swat the Shopping Bug to view related military items!


IRAQI 2nd CLASS ORDER OF TWO RIVERS


Wisam al-Rafidain / Order of the Two Rivers -- Named for the two great rivers of Iraq, the Tigris and Euphrates, this order is awarded for exceptional service to Iraq. It exists in both military and civil classes. Two distinct varieties of the badge exist, the pre-Revolutionary royal variety with central crown, and the Republican version, with the crown predictably replaced with the Republican eagle.

There are two versions of the Republican badge, distinguished by different inscriptions, as detailed below. The civil version is suspended by a wreath, the military division by a wreath with crossed swords. For the first - royal - version, the crown is prominently featured on the obverse obverse and the inscription reads: "Al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah / Hub al-Watan min al-Iman" or "The Iraqi Kingdom / Loving the Country is Faith". In 1959, the badge was redesigned after the Revolution by, predictably, removing the royal crown from the obverse and replacing it with the Republican eagle. The inscription on the obverse reads "??? / ???" "??? / ???" or "??? / ???". In 1963, the obverse inscription was altered to read "??? / ???" "??? / ???" or "??? / ???". More details on changes in the badge design are given below.

Established: In 1922 by King Faisal I. The order was revised and redesigned by Law No. 87 of 24 May 1959 after the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the republic. In 1963, the obverse inscription was altered. ??? Law No. 28 of 1967. A collar was established by Law No. 1 of 1968. For most of its history, the insigniae seem to have been manufactured by Arthus Bertrand (Paris, France). Believed also to have been manufactured by Garard (London, England), ca. 1935-58 and by Arthus Bertrand (Paris, France) before 1935.

Obverse: A circular silver star, maroon-enameled, of seven points, each point ending in a ball. Between the points, a wreath in green enamed with white (lotus?) flowers. In the center, a white circle with an Arabic inscription "Al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah / Hub al-Watan min al-Iman" or "The Iraqi Kingdom / Loving the Country is Faith". Inside this circle, there was until 1959, a gold crown on a blue background; after 1959, this crown has been replaced with the silver eagle of the Republic. From 1959 until 1968, the inscription read "Al-Jamhuriya al-Iraq / Hub al-Watan min al-Iman" or "The Republic of Iraq / Loving the Country is Faith"; after 1968, it legend was altered to "???" "??? / ???" or "??? / ???".





The civil division is suspended by a wreath, while the military division adds crossed swords to this wreath. Reverse: Until 1959, the legend "Al-Adil asas al-Mulk / Faisal al-'Awal / 1345 A.H." or "Justice is the Basis for the Kingdom / Faisal I / 1345 A.H.". In 1959 the legend was altered to "Al-Rafidian / 1377 A.H. / Al-Sh'ab" or "The Two Rivers / 1377 A.H. [=1960 C.E.] / The People" After 1968, in the circular silver center, an Arabic inscription "Al-Jamhuriya al-Iraq / Hub al-Watan min al-Iman" or "The Republic of Iraq / Loving the Country is Faith". Surrounding this, on a white-enameled circle, an Arabic inscription in gold, "ë 1377 / j¨r»A" "Al-Sh'arah / 1377 H" or "The Year / 1377 A.H. [= 1960 C.E.]".

Ribbon: Military class: Red moiré, with thin black stripes at each edge and in the center. Civil class: Red moiré with two black stripes in from each edge. Also reported as simply red with a black central stripe?

first badge, with crown, obverse inscription "Al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah / Hub al-Watan min al-Iman" or "The Iraqi Kingdom / Loving the Country is Faith" and reverse legend , 1922-59:



From the Lorenzo Luna collection

PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

Values for medals, badges, and other military antiques and collectibles are provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009
Value $650.00 $650.00 $670.00 $700.00
Availability Hard to find Hard to find Hard to find Hard to find


While the item featured here is not for sale, similar items like it are available for purchase in our website MilitaryItems.com


 
© 1997 - 2006 MilitaryItems.com - All rights reserved.