Central African Republic. An Order Of Merit, Grand Officer Set

(Ordre du Mérite Centrafricain). Instituted in 1959.

Includes:

1. II Class Grand Officer Badge: five-piece construction, in bronze gilt with blue, white, red, green and black enamels, unmarked, measuring 39.3 mm (w) x 61 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath and laterally-pierced ball suspension, large rosette affixed to its original ribbon with dual prong pinback.

2. II Class Grand Officer Breast Star: three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with blue, white and black enamels, maker marked "AB & Co" (Arthus Bertrand) on the pin, measuring 66.5 mm (w) x 66.8 mm (h), vertical pinback. 

Together, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Merit was instituted on June 20, 1959 (the Grand Officer class being added October 13, 1961). It is awarded for especial merit in the humanitarian, economic and social spheres, in five grades: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight, plus a Collar which is the Presidential insignia. The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and Cameroon to the west.