Spain. An Order of Isabella the Catholic, Commander, Type I, c.1920

Item #M0041-27

Price:

$1,000

(1815-1847 & 1875-1931); In gold with red, white, blue and green enamels, gold and enamelled independent insignia placed in the obverse centrepiece, cypher "FR7" (Ferdinand VII) on the reverse centrepiece, weighing 19.8 grams inclusive of its ribbon, unmarked, 39 mm (w) x 54 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension, on its full-length neck ribbon, missing its tie on one end, chipping evident in the blue enamels at the base of the orb on the obverse centrepiece and in the green enamels on both sides of the wreath, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Isabella the Catholic is a Spanish civil order in which membership is granted in recognition of services that benefit the country. The Order is not open to Spaniards exclusively, and it has been used to award many foreigners. The Order was established on March 14, 1815 by King Ferdinand VII in honour of Queen Isabella I with the name of "Royal and American Order of Isabella the Catholic", with the intent of "rewarding the firm allegiance to Spain and the merits of Spanish citizens and foreigners in good standing with the Nation and especially in those exceptional services provided in pursuit of territories in America and overseas." The Order was re-organized by royal decree on July 26, 1847, as the modern "Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic" with a broader focus than the Americas.