Peru, Republic. A Distinguished Service Order, Grand Cross, by National Coin House, c.1950

(Orden al Mérito por Servicios Distinguidos). Instituted in 1950. 1950-present Issue. Of national manufacture, a remarkable and very unique Grand Cross set consisting of a silver-gilt sash badge featuring a mythological condor in the Chavín culture style, 12 o’clock exhibiting double headed condor, along with 13 ornamented hand-chiseled Condor plumage on either side with ball finials in each tip, 6 o’clock displaying the claws of the bird, the obverse exhibiting a central national landscape flanked by palm and laurel branches, within an enameled red and white scrolls inscribed AL MERITO POR SERVICIOS DISTINGUIDOS - REPUBLICA PERUANA, plain reverse with maker’s cartouche of “CASA NACIONAL DE MONEDA LIMA - PERU" (National Coin House, Lima, Peru), measuring 53.24 mm (w) x 62.65 mm (h - inclusive integral ring suspension), suspended by an ornamented suspension on original full-length ribbon, presenting minor tarnished silver and loss of enamel on the obverse medallion, otherwise extremely fine. The sash badge is accompanied by a breast star, consisting of a larger mythological condor in the Chavín culture style in silver gilt and hand-chiseled details, the obverse featuring a central hand made national landscape encircled by a red and white border inscribed AL MERITO POR SERVICIOS DISTINGUIDOS - REPUBLICA PERUANA, the reverse with principal pin assembly and dual stays, marked by maker’s cartouche of “CASA NACIONAL DE MONEDA LIMA - PERU" (National Coin House, Lima, Peru), measuring 71.11 mm (w) x 78.93 mm (h), light contact, extremely fine condition. The set is completed by a miniature in silver gilt, consisting of a remarkable hand-chiseled mythological condor in indiginous style, obverse centre with a hand made national landscape encircled by an enameled red and white ring, plain reverse with maker’s mark of the National Coin House, Lima, Peru, along with hallmarking denoting 925 of silver content, measuring 13.70 mm (w) x 17.67 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring suspension), suspended by an ornamented suspension on original officer ribbon with rosette, suspended by a horizontal hanger with slider on the back, presenting minor tarnished silver, otherwise very fine. The set is contained in its original case of issue, a hardshelled blue case, exterior lid with a central Peruvian coat of arms in gilt color, along with a tapped label for previous sale likely in Geman, the interior lid in white silk, the recessed medal bed with raised platform in black felt, measuring 131 mm (w) x 53 mm (h) x 288 mm (l), the push catch is not functional, light contact, case better than very fine.

Footnote:The Distinguished Service Order was founded in Peru by a military junta on July 18, 1950. It was confirmed on December 6, 1951, when its regulations were approved. It was founded to recognize both Peruvian and foreign citizens for distinguished public service in fields such as arts, science, industry, and business. It is the second-highest decoration in order of precedence within the country.