Spain, Franco Period. An Order Of Civil Merit, Officers Star, C.1970

(Orden al Mérito Civil). Instituted by King Alfonso XIII on June 25, 1926. 1940-1975 Issue. In silver, a multirayed eight-pointed star with beaded arms, the obverse is superposed by a blue-enameled white-edged four-armed cross also in silver, featuring the central inscription AL MERITO CIVIL (To Civil Merit), the cross is surmounted by a period Imperial crown also in silver, the reverse with principal pin assembly flanked by two stays, measuring at 67.15 mm (w) x 69.70 mm (h) and weighing in at 60.0 grams, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Civil Merit was established by King Alfonso XIII on June 25, 1926. It was later abolished by the Second Republic in 1933, and reinstated by General Francisco Franco in 1942 after the end of the Civil War. It is currently conferred upon Spanish and foreign citizens who have displayed civil virtue and meritorious actions that served to the interests of Spanish culture.