(Orden Militar de San Hermengildo). Instituted 1814 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain. An enamelled white for armed cross in silver gilt, surmounted by a period Spanish Imperial crown also in silver gilt, obverse centre exhibiting a superposed riding figure of St. Hermenegildo on an enamelled blue background, encircled by an enamelled blue border inscribed PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA MILITAR (Award for Military Constancy), reverse featuring the cypher of Ferdinand VII surrounded by an enamelled blue border, 37.7mm (w) x 55.2mm (h – inclusive of crown suspension), weighs 87.0 grams (including ribbon), small flake to blue enamel of reverse medallion otherwise enamels intact, heavily gilded, overall an extremely fine decoration, worn on the correct sash, in very fine condition.
Footnote: The Royal and Military Order of St. Hermenegildo (Real y Militar Orden de San 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. It is the first Spanish military Order awarded for length of services.