Spain, Fascist State. A Military Merit Medal, c.1940

(Medalla Militar). Instituted in 1918 by Alfonso XIII of Spain. A solid silver medal, the obverse medallion presents a fight facing female figure holding a wreath, with the sun setting in the left background and a shield with a lion face on the on the right, the medallion is surrounded by a silver wreath with a rampant lion on each side, a small banner at 6 o’clock reads AL MERITO EN CAMPANA, the reverse presents the Spanish coat of arms overlaid on an eagle with outstretched wings, and matching silver wreath and rampant lions, measures 37.6mm (w) x 43.5mm (h), marked F. Gana, worn on an original ribbon with brass broach, lovely patina, an extremely fine and scarce decoration.