Finland, Republic. An Order of the Lion of Finland, Cross of Merit

(Suomen Leijonan suurristi). Instituted in 1942. Four-piece construction, lion in silver centered upon a red enamelled disk, mounted to a silver cross base, marked with the crown national mark, maker marked "AT" within a diamond-shaped border (Alexander Tillander, Helsinki), marked "830" (silver) and date marked with an "A" but the number following it is obscured (the date therefore undetermined), on the obverse of the integral ring, measuring 41 mm (w) x 45.3 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, exhibiting contact marks on the arms of the cross at 12 and 3 o'clock on the obverse, light contact on the reverse, original ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Lion of Finland was instituted on September 11, 1942 and is awarded for civilian and military merit, in six grades: Commander Grand Cross, Commander I Class, Commander, Knight I Class, Knight, Cross of Merit, plus a "Pro Finlandia" Medal.