Spain, Kingdom. A Royal and Military Order of St. Ferdinand, Reduced Size II Class Cross in Gold, c. 1830

Instituted August 31, 1811 by the General Courts of Cadiz. Army of the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis issue. A reduced size II class cross, in Gold, a white enamelled Maltese cross with ball finials, a green enamelled wreath with downward pointing leaves denoting the conferral of French Troops of St. Louis in each quadrant, the obverse medallion features an enamelled portrait of St. Ferdinand within a blue enamel surround inscribed AL MERITO MILITAR (For Military Merit), the reverse superposing by two crowned orbs in Gold, circumscribed by the inscription EL REY Y LA PATRIA (King and Fatherland) on enamelled blue surround, a surmounting wreath suspension, worn on original ribbon, measures 26.80mm (w) x 39.05mm (h – inclusive of wreath and integral loop), weighs 6.8 grams, marked on ring with an eagle head denoting French manufacture, enamel wear to blue of obverse medallion, small areas of enamel damage elsewhere, wear consistent with age, remains in very fine condition.