The National Medal for Merit may be awarded to recognise important services rendered to Romania during peace or war. It is equivalent in importance and is awarded for similar achievements as the National Order for Merit, but is granted to those who lack higher education. The medal is limited to 7,200 living recipients across the first and second classes. There is no limit on the number of third class medals. Awards are limited by grade and division as follows:[1]
First Class medal, 2,000 civilian and 400 military
Second Class medal, 4,000 civilian and 800 military
^ The peacetime military insignia added: two crossed swords (tip up) between the sign and the link if awarded to military personnel in peacetime ^ The categories are equal in ranking, and differentiate only the cultural field (A - literature; B - music; C - fine arts; D - performing arts; E - national cultural heritage; F - promotion of culture; H - religious cults; G - scientific research; I - architecture) ; ^ The war insignia added: two crossed swords (tip up) behind the sign (except for Order of Michael the Brave, an order exclusevely for military personnel with exception conduct in wartime or warzones)
