Spain, Kingdom. A Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III, Commander, Model V, in Gold

(Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III). Instituted September 19th, 1771 by King Charles III of Spain, an example of this award of fine craftsmanship, constructed of 18kt Gold, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue and white enameled arms and ball finials, with a Gold Fleur-de-lis in each quadrant between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central Gold medallion with a finely crafted hand-painted enameled figure of the virgin May in a white dress with a dark blue enameled wrap, surrounded by a fine blue enameled ring along the exterior, the reverse medallion presents the cypher of Charles III on a blue enameled field, surrounded by a white enameled ring inscribed “Virtuti et Merito” in capitalized letters, suspended from an oval shaped Gold laurel wreath with a blue enameled bow at the base from its period original shortened neck ribbon, unmarked, of delicate craftsmanship and, with a small enamel flake visible to the body of virgin Mary, in better than very fine condition.