FINLAND – Sosiaaliturvan Keskusliitto Silver Medal of Merit, 1982
kr 300.00
In stock
Description
FINLAND – Sosiaaliturvan Keskusliitto Silver Medal of Merit, 1982
(Sosiaaliturvan Keskusliiton hopeinen ansiomerkki)
Awarded on 5 March 1982 to Marita Pekkarinen, this Finnish silver merit medal was presented by the Sosiaaliturvan Keskusliitto—the Central Federation for Social Security—in recognition of distinguished service or contributions to Finnish social-welfare work. The reverse inscription reads “ANSIOISTA – Marita Pekkarinen – 5.3.82 – SOSIAALITURVAN KESKUSLIITTO,” meaning “For Merit.” The organization issued both gold and silver merit insignia, making this an institutional award rather than an official state decoration.
The federation traced its origins to an association founded in 1917 to improve the competence of voluntary and salaried welfare workers. It adopted the name Sosiaaliturvan Keskusliitto in 1972, later becoming the Sosiaali- ja terveysturvan keskusliitto in 1997. The medal therefore belongs to an important period in the development of Finland’s modern social-welfare organizations.
The obverse features four heart-shaped leaves arranged as a clover-like emblem, a design well suited to themes of care, solidarity and social responsibility. The medal is suspended from a white ribbon with a broad orange-red central stripe and narrow dark-blue stripes near the edges.
The reverse carries the recipient’s name and award date together with Finnish precious-metal hallmarks. The 830 mark identifies solid silver of 830/1000 fineness, while the Finnish date code E8 corresponds to 1982 and matches the engraved presentation date. The maker’s mark reads SPORR, consistent with production by Sporrong Oy, a known Finnish manufacturer of medals and insignia.
As a named and dated award, this medal has greater historical interest than an unnamed example. It represents formal recognition of personal service within Finland’s organized social-welfare sector during the early 1980s.
Condition: Very Fine; silver surfaces with light scratches, handling marks and attractive age toning; four-heart emblem, personalized inscription and hallmarks clearly preserved; suspension fittings intact; ribbon complete with minor creasing, light soiling and age-related wear.
