Spain, Kingdom. An Order Of Isabella The Catholic, Knight, C.1890

(Orden de Isabel la Católica). Instituted 1815. Queen Isabel II issue. An early award consisting of a ball-tipped silver gilt Maltese cross with scaly arms and red enamels, featuring clusters of five rays of different length in each quadrant, obverse centre depicting the inscription A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA (To Pure Loyalty) on an enameled white border, reverse having a monogram of Queen Isabel II on an enameled blue background, surrounded by the inscription POR ISABEL LA CATOLICA (For Isabella the Catholic), suspended by an enameled green laurel wreath in silver gilt, measuring 40.89 mm (w) x 64.08 mm (h - inclusive of laurel wreath and integral ball), with lost of gilt and toned silver, accompanied by original ribbon, near very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Isabella the Catholic was instituted as the Royal and American Order of Isabella the Catholic (Real y Americana Orden de Isabella Católica) by royal decree of March 24, 1815. The name of the Order was modified when the Spanish Crown abandoned its intentions of ruling Latin America and overseas on April 15, 1889. The Order was founded as a civil and military order awarded in recognition of those men who had served the interests of the Spanish Crown in Latin America and overseas.