(Orden Militar de San Hermenegildo). Instituted 1814 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Alfonso XIII issue. An enameled white four armed cross in silver gilt, surmounted by period Spanish Royal crown also in silver gilt, obverse centre displaying a riding figure of St. Hermenegildo on an enameled light blue background, surrounded by an enameled blue border inscribed PREMIO A LA CONSTANCIA MILITAR (Award for Military Constancy), the reverse featuring the cypher of Ferdinand VII surrounded by an enameled blue ring, measuring 37.35 mm (w) x 55.59 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension), presenting overall lost of gilt with minor oxidation on the obverse medallion, suspended by original ribbon with a typical Spanish rectangular hanger with pinback, poor condition. Accompanied by a miniature in bronze gilt, featuring a four armed cross in white enamels with integral crown suspension, the obverse in blue enamels displaying a figure of St. Hermenegildo, plain reverse, measuring 10.92 mm (w) x 20.28 mm (h - inclusive of crown suspension), on an original ribbon with Spanish rectangular hanger with pinback, near to mint 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.