Senegal, Republic. An Order Of National Merit, Breast Star, C.1960

Ordre du Mérite National. Instituted in 1960. Insignia in bronze with green and black enamels, mounted to an eight-pointed silver star base, with four emanating rays between the rays forming the star points, unidentified hallmark on the pin, measuring 80.3 mm (w) x 80.5 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, light contact on the reverse, extremely fine.

Footnote: The National Order of Merit was founded on October 22, 1960. Senegal has two national Orders. The first is the National Order of the Lion, rewarding distinguished contributions, and the second is the National Order of Merit, honouring outstanding contributions. This reflects the fact that, as the National Order of the Lion can be granted only sparingly. In order not to discredit it, many worthy actions could otherwise go without any official recognition. That is why the second order, the National Order of Merit was created, to reward actions of outstanding merit, the aim being to widen the number of recipients eligible.