Portugal. An Order of Entrepreneurial Merit for Industrial Merit, Grand Officer's Breast Star, Type II (1910)

In silver, hallmarked with a trident on the pin, with 8 pointed red enameled star affixed via 8 rivets, measuring 75.7 mm (w) x 74.5 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, a detailed and attractive star, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Entrepreneurial Merit is the most junior of the Portuguese civil orders of merit, and is intended to distinguish those who have rendered, as an entrepreneur or worker, outstanding service in promoting appreciation or services in an economic sector. The Order has three categories: Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial; each of these correspond to specific related to the associated economic sectors, which is also reflected in the insignia of each category. Originally established on June 4, 1893 by Charles I during his visit to the city of Beja as the "Civil Order of Agricultural and Industrial Merit", the order was abolished with the founding of the Portuguese republic and reformulated in 1926. In 1991, it was renamed the "Order of Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Merit" following the addition of a third class, to recognize services rendered in connection with the trade and service sectors. Following legislation in 2011, the order received its present name, maintaining the three existing classes but extending the granting of the Commercial Class of Merit to the important tourism sector. Moreover, it is specifically provided for by the statutes of the order that it may be granted for the merit of workers in their respective sectors of activity. The Order of Industrial Merit is intended to distinguish those who have rendered, as an entrepreneur or worker, outstanding service in the promotion or enhancement of industry. It comes in six classes: Grand Cross (GCMI), Grand Officer (GOMI), Commander (ComMI), Officer (OMI), Medal (MedMI) and Honourary Member (MHMI), as does both the Orders of Agricultural and Commercial Merit.