Spain, Kingdom. A Military Order Of St. Hermenegildo, Grand Cross, C.1900

(Real y Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo). Instituted 1814 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Alphonso XIII's issue. Of high quality manufacture in silver gilt, an enameled white four-armed cross with finely faceted edges, surmounted by a period Spanish royal crown also in silver gilt, the obverse centre exhibiting a superimposed riding figure of St. Hermenegildo in gilt, with an enameled light-blue background, encircled by an enameled deep-blue ring inscribed PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA MILITAR (Award for Military Constancy), reverse featuring the cypher of Ferdinand VII on a pebble background, surrounded by an enameled blue border, measuring 37.41 mm (w) x 53.88 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension), on original full-length ribbon with bow, presenting general tarnished silver and lost of gilt, extremely good.

Footnote: The Royal and Military Order of St. Hermenegildo was established by King Ferdinand VII after the end of the Peninsular War on November 28, 1814. It was founded in recognition of Spanish and foreign military personnel who defeated the Napoleonic army, after four year of conflict, and reconstituted Ferdinand's VII reign. It was the first Spanish military Order awarded for length of services.