Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order of Civil Merit, III Class Commander, c. 1900

(Орден за гражданска заслуга). Instituted August 2 1891 by Prince Ferdinand I. Type I (1891-1908). An enamelled white four armed Arrow Cross in silver gilt, with delicate enamelled green oak branches and acorns in each quadrant, obverse centre with superposed enamelled white cypher backed by a red enamelled background, surrounded by Cyrillic inscription 3А ГРАЖДАНСКА 3АСЛУГА (For Civil Merit) on a white enamel border, reverse of oak leaves exhibit flat, gilded and hand etched detail denoting type I, reverse center medallion with superposed gilded Bulgarian lion on an enamelled red background, encircled by an enamelled white border with Cyrillic inscription 2 АВГУСТЪ 1891 (2 August 1891), suspended by detailed gilded Princely Crown with an interior red enamel cap, enamel details along the band and textured pendelia, measuring 63.1mm (w) x 95.5mm (h – inclusive of crown suspension), weighs 62.7 grams (including ribbon), worn on a segment of neck ribbon with button hole at each end, small areas of enamel wear on 12 o’clock arm on both obverse and reverse, gilt wear on obverse, remains in near extremely fine condition.