Central African Republic. An Order of Merit, Grand Officer Breast Star, by Arthus Bertrand & Co.

(Order of Central African Merit). Instituted June 20th, 1959. Constructed of gilded bronze, consisting of a Maltese Cross with ball finials, the cross with white enameled arms with a black enameled border along the edges of the cross, with rays emanating from the center in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central black enameled circular medallion bearing a gilded five-pointed star, surrounded by a ring of light blue enamels, the reverse plain, with a raised hinge, vertical pinback, and broad rightward-opening catch, hallmarked by Arthus Bertrand & Co. on the pinback, measuring 67.2 mm (w) x 67.3 mm (l), weighing 59.84 grams, the white enamels of the top arm of the cross cracked with hairline cracks in multiple spots, in otherwise very fine condition.