(Orden del Mérito Militar). Instituted in 1864. Multi-piece construction, cross insignia in silver with red, white and blue enamels, the white cross indicative of peacetime merit, with icons framed within all four corners of the cross, mounted to an eight-pointed silver star base, each star point with five pairs of faceted rays, with a single pair of faceted rays between each star point, unmarked, measuring 62 mm (w) x 62 mm (h), vertical pinback flanked by dual stays, intact enamels, spotting evident on the white enamelled arms of the cross, extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of Military Merit was instituted on August 3, 1864 by Queen Isabel II, revised in 1931, 1936, 1942, 1970, 1977, 1995 and 2003. It is awarded for acts of bravery, distinction, service or merit by members of the Armed Forces, or civilians in support of the military, in two grades: Grand Cross and Cross, in four Divisions: Red (War Service), Blue (Peacekeeping), Yellow (Killed or Wounded in Service) and White (Peacetime Merit).