Original Spanish Suffering for the Homeland Medal

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Spanish award · wounded and prisoners

Suffering for the Homeland

The Medal of Suffering for the Homeland (Medalla de Sufrimientos por la Patria) is the Spanish award for servicemen who were wounded or held captive on campaign or in the line of duty. It is one of the most personal medals in Spanish phaleristics: each example points to a specific wound or a specific captivity.

One award, several models

The medal was awarded under different regimes and its design changed with them, so the first step is to identify the model. Two can be found in our catalogue:

  • Enamelled model. Round, with a crenellated tower, an allegory of captivity, on blue enamel and the legend "Sufrimientos por la Patria"; a white enamel ring with a gilt chain and, around it all, a laurel wreath. It is usually uniface and measures about 32-33 mm.
  • Second Republic model. Bronze, triangular with rounded corners: on the obverse, the bust of a wounded soldier over the outline of the Iberian Peninsula; on the reverse, stretcher-bearers carrying a wounded man, with the legend.

The ribbon often shows the reason for the award. Examples that have passed through our hands include yellow ribbons with green stripes, one of them with a red saltire in the centre for a wounded man, and an orange ribbon on a prisoner-of-war medal. Many of these medals were awarded in the campaigns of the twentieth century; see the period pieces in Civil War and Dictatorship and Second Republic.

How to identify an original piece

  • Period enamels are vitreous, with small irregularities; be wary of cold enamel, resin or paint.
  • The tower, legend and chain should be crisp; a soft or porous relief suggests a cast piece.
  • Check weight and diameter, the gilding of the chain and the condition of the reverse.
  • Ribbon and hanger should match the period: a new ribbon on an old medal lowers its interest, though it does not invalidate it.

What is a Suffering for the Homeland medal worth?

Value depends on the model and period, the condition of the enamels and gilding, whether it keeps its original ribbon with the relevant distinction (wounded or prisoner) and, above all, documentation. A medal with its award document or the service record that explains the wound or captivity, or one that belongs to the complete group of a single serviceman, is of far greater interest than a loose piece. We do not give guide prices without seeing the piece.

Browse the other awards in Spain and Military and Civil Orders, and nineteenth-century campaigns in Overseas Wars. Before buying or selling, read our FAQ: every piece is original, covered by a refund guarantee and shipped insured.