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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 |
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