Spain, Kingdom. An Order of St. Hermenegildo, Grand Cross Star, c.1900

(Real y Militar Orden de San Hermenegildo). Established by King Ferdinand VII of Spain on November 28, 1814. An outstanding ball-tipped pierced Maltese cross in silver gilt, embellished by cluster of five beaded rays in each quadrant in silver, the obverse featuring a superimposed gilded figure of St. Hermenegildo riding a horse, with an enameled dark blue background, encircled by an enameled white border inscribed PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA MILITAR (Award to Military Constancy), as well as an enameled green laurel wreath, with surmounted partially enameled red Spanish crown, the reverse with an ornamented pinback assembly and two stays, measuring 60.90 mm (w) x 61.40 mm (h), presenting minor toned silver on the tips, otherwise extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Royal and Military Order of St. Hermenegildo was established by King Fernando VII/Ferdinand VII on November 28, 1814, after the end of the Peninsular War. It was founded in recognition of Spanish and foreign military personnel who defeated the Napoleonic army, after four year of conflict, and reconstituted Ferdinand's VII reign.