Bulgaria, Kingdom. A National Order For Civil Merit, I Class Grand Cross, C.1940

(Национален орден за гражданска заслуга). Instituted in 1891. Type II with Imperial Crown (1908-1944). Grand Cross Badge: multi-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and green enamels, unmarked, measuring 75.2 mm (w) x 108.7 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, without its full-length sash; and Breast Star: insignia with a multi-piece construction, in silver gilt with red, white and green enamels, mounted an eight-pointed star base in silver gilt, each star point with nine emanating rays that feature a single ray flanked by a shorter emanating ray on both sides, Austrian maker marked "JOHANN SCHWERTNER WIEN" on the reverse cartouche, measuring 96.5 mm (w) x 97 mm (h), vertical pinback. Intact enamels, very light contact, extremely fine. Footnote: The National Order for Civil Merit was instituted on August 2, 1891 and awarded in six grades.