Mexico, Republic. A Decoration Of The Mexican Legion Of Honour, C.1950

(Condecoración de la Legión de Honor Mexicano). Instituted 3 May 1951 by presidential decree. An ornate gilt bronze and polychrome enamel medal, the obverse centre constructed of blue enamel bearing the gilt head and shoulders of the warrior king Cuauhtemoc in a feathered headdress within a red enamel ring inscribed in gilt “LEGION DE HONOR” (LEGION OF HONOR) with gilt laurel leaves below, imposed on a red enamel four-armed cross with bifurcated ends, gilt suns between the ends, gilt and orange yellow points between the arms, all imposed on a deep blue enamel plaque with serrated edges, the reverse is plain with an imposed medallion in the centre bearing the inscription “PORDECRETO PRESIDENCIAL DEL 3 DE MAYO DE 1951” (BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE OF 3 MAY 1951), with integral gilt Mexican eagle and laurel suspension, measuring 51.15 mm (w) x 68.40 mm (h), on a light blue and yellow striped ribbon with gilt top bar decorated with laurel leaves and mounted for wear, very fine.

Footnote: The Decoration was awarded to officers inducted into the Mexican Legion of Honor in recognition of their achievements. Cuauhtémoc was an early 16th Century Aztec ruler who fought heroically and inspirationally against the Spanish conquistadors and was tortured and then unjustly executed by Cortés.