Hungary, Regency. An Order of Merit, Commander’s Cross, Civil Division

Instituted 19 June 1923. Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms featuring dark green enameled borders, the obverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded Hungarian Cross, set within a circular green enameled laurel leaf wreath with details highlighted in gilt, the reverse bearing a central gilded medallion overlaid by an inscription of “SI DEUS PRO NOBIS QUIS CONTRA NOS” (“IF GOD IS WITH US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?”) with a date of “1922”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an eyelet with a suspension loop and ring retaining a period original full-length neck ribbon, unmarked, measuring 53.13 mm (w) x 58.45 mm (h), weighing 43.2 grams, with some flecking of enamels and loss of gilt finish evident, in near extremely fine condition.