Spain, Franco Period. A War Cross, Dedicated Star with Gold, c.1939

Constructed of gilded and silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse with an eight-pointed silver star, with central medallion in bronze gilt depicting a red, white and blue enamelled Spanish coat of arms, with blue-enamelled border depicting the inscription “AL MÉRIOT EN CAMPAÑA” (“FOR MERIT IN CAMPAIGN”), surrounded by a gilded cross, crossed swords, and a laurel leaf wreath, the reverse with raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting an elongated round wire catch, unmarked, reverse with etched inscription reading “LT. ERNST KÖNIG, FÜR KAMPF IN SPANIEN 1936-1939”, measuring 70.91 mm (w) x 71.10 mm (h), weighing 47.8 grams, minor tarnishing of gilt and flecking of enamels, otherwise in near extremely fine condition.