Spain, Kingdom. Three Order of Military Merit with White Distinction Awards
(Orden del Mérito Militar). Instituted in 1864.
Includes:
1. Cross, Francoist Era (1936-1976) (three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 40 mm (w) x 61.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, without ribbon):
2. II Class Breast Star, King Juan Carlos I (1975-2014) (multi-piece construction, cross in silvered bronze with red, white and blue enamels, mounted to a silvered bronze eight-pointed star base, measuring 64 mm (w) x 63 mm (h), vertical pinback flanked by dual stays, intact enamels);
3. Miniature, King Juan Carlos I (1975-2014) (two-piece construction, cross in silver with red, white and blue enamels, mounted to a gilt eight-pointed star base, measuring 23.7 mm (w) x 23 mm (h), ring button hole attachment, intact enamels).
Together, Better than very fine.
Footnote: The Order of Military Merit was instituted on August 3, 1864 by Queen Isabel II, revised in 1931, 1936, 1942, 1970, 1977, 1995 and 2003. It is awarded for acts of bravery, distinction, service or merit by members of the Armed Forces, or civilians in support of the military. Juan Carlos I (Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón, born January 5, 1938) is a member of the Spanish royal family who reigned as King of Spain from November 1975 until his abdication in June 2014. In Spain, since his abdication, Juan Carlos has usually been referred to as the Rey Emérito ("King Emeritus").