Spain, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Ferdinand In Gold, I Class Knight, C.1900

(Real y Militar Orden de San Fernando). Instituted in 1811. Type II. In 18K Gold, an exceptional ball-tipped enamel white Maltese cross, obverse medallion presenting a partially enameled figure of St. Ferdinand, surrounded by an enameled light blue ring with inscription AL MERITO MILITAR, reverse centre with two orbs encircled by an enameled blue border inscribed EL REY Y LA PATRIA, adorned by nicely enameled green laurel branches on the top, measuring 27.77 mm (w) x 32.78 mm (hy - inclusive of laterally-pierced ball suspension), weighing 6.5 grams, light contact on enamels, with scattered lost of gilt, otherwise a fine piece in near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand was originally founded by the General Courts of Cadiz as a National Order on August 31, 1811. It was approved by King Ferdinand VII on November 28, 1814, right after the restoration of his throne. It was switched as a Royal and Military Order in 1815. The Order was established in recognition of all military personnel who participated in the Peninsular War, an engagement against Napoleonic army that took place in Spain between 1807-1814.