Spain, Kingdom. A Rare Royal and Military Order of St. Ferdinand, II Class in Gold, c.1823

(Real y Militar Orden de San Fernando). Type II (1815-1920). Originally instituted by the General Courts of Cadiz as a National Order on August 31, 1811. Army of the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis issue. A rare cross in 18K Gold, enamelled white Maltese Cross with ball finials, with a green enamel downward facing laurel wreath in each quadrant, surmounted by a green enamelled laurel wreath set in Gold, obverse centre featuring a partially enamelled white and red figure of St. Ferdinand in Gold, encircled by an enamelled blue border inscribed AL MÉRITO MILITAR (To Military Merit), reverse centre superposing by two crowned orbs in Gold, circumscribed by the inscription EL REY Y LA PATRIA (King and Fatherland) on enamelled blue surround, gold hallmark on French striated ring denoting Gold guarantee for 1819-1838, measuring 26.08 mm (w) x 40.55 mm (h – inclusive of wreath suspension), weighs 6.71 grams (excluding ribbon), worn on a replacement similar ribbon, enamel damage to the tips of each arm on both the obverse and reverse, minor wear to wreathes, a lovely decoration in very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order was awarded to the French Army of Angulema in 1823, also known as the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis, which served to Ferdinand VII and helped him to return to Spain after Napoleonic invasion. These awards featured a special design displaying the laurel wreath leaves pointing down.