Spain, Franco Period. A Royal And Military Order Of St. Hermenegild, Commander’s Star, C.1950

(Real y Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo). Instituted in 1814 by King Ferdinand VII after the end of the Peninsular War. Issued 1945-1975. A beaded Maltese Cross with ball finials in bronze gilt, featuring clusters of five beaded rays in each quadrant in silvered bronze, the obverse showing a superposed gilded figure of St. Hermenegild on a light-blue enamelling background, surrounded by the inscription PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA MILITAR (Award for Military Constancy) on an enameled white border, as well as by an enameled green laurel wreath, reverse with central pin assembly flanked by two stays, measuring 63.98 mm (w) x 64.23 mm (h), presenting light contact, very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of St. Hermenegild was founded by King Ferdinand VII after the end of the Peninsular War. It is one of the oldest and most important Order in Spain. It is currently active and it is awarded to military personnel in recognition of length of service with an unbroken record of exemplary behavior in the performance of their duties.