Spain, Kingdom. A Rare Order of St. Michael Medal Bar, to the Family of Luis Carrero Blanco

A rare medal bar belonging to an ancestor of Spanish Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco, for services rendered to the Royal Guard, including:

1. A Bavarian Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael, Merit Cross, constructed of silver with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central oval medallion overlaid by a raised depiction of St. Michael clutching a shield bearing an inscription of “QUIS UT DEUS” (“WHO IS LIKE GOD?”) while trampling on the devil, the reverse bearing a central circular medallion overlaid by a blue enameled inscription of “VIRTUTI” (“VIRTUE”), the suspension loop marked with an illegible hallmark, measuring 36.72 mm (w) x 40.71 mm (h), some softening and scratching is visible to the base metal while the enamels demonstrate moderate chipping, in very fine condition.

2. An Austrian Merit Cross, Civil Division, III Class, constructed of silver with enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with red enameled arms, the obverse bearing a central silver medallion overlaid by the monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph, circumscribed by an inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”), the reverse bearing a central silver medallion overlaid by a raised number of “1849”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a royal crown, in turn culminating in an integral loop and suspension ring retaining a period original ribbon, the suspension loop maker marked “V. MAYER & SÖHNE, IN WIEN”, measuring 35.87 mm (w) x 56.98 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Bavarian Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael, Silver Medal, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing raised depiction of St. Michael clutching a shield bearing an inscription of “QUIS UT DEUS” (“WHO IS LIKE GOD?”) while trampling on the devil, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “VIRTUTI” (“VIRTUE”), situated within a circular oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the obverse engraver marked “A. BÖRSCH” for Alois Börsch, measuring 35.80 mm in diameter, demonstrating a consistent patina and some edge nicks, in better than very fine condition.

All suspended from a classic Spanish-style gilded bronze buckle with a horizontal pinback, measuring 105 mm in length, a rare and unusual arrangement to an ancestor of a close ally and confidant of Francisco Franco who, while serving as Prime Minister, was assassinated in Marid by the Basque separatist group ETA on 20 December 1973.