(Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio). Instituted in 1939. Badge with a four-piece construction, in silver gilt with red, white, blue and black enamels, unmarked, obverse illustrating King Alfonso X in the centre and inscribed "ALFONSO X EL SABIO REY DE CASTILLA Y LEON" (King Alfonso X the Wise of Castilla and León) on the centrepiece ring, reverse illustrating a spread-winged black eagle and inscribed "ALTIORA-PETO" (High-Seek) above on the centrepiece, measuring 55 mm (w) x 58.8 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension. The chain houses twenty-four icons, in alternating positions: eleven of which illustrate a spread-winged Eagle of St.John with a halo behind its head in silver gilt with red and black enamels, ten measuring 49 mm (w) x 41.7 mm (h) each inclusive of their loops, while the one larger version that is attached to the badge measures 56.3 mm (w) x 51.2 mm (h) inclusive of its loops; six illustrate the crowned monogram of King Alfonso X the Wise in silver gilt, measuring 28.2 mm (w) x 32.8 mm (h) each inclusive of their loops; six illustrate the Roman numeral "X" (10) in silver gilt, measuring 27.2 mm (w) x 26 mm (h) each inclusive of their loops; the twenty-fourth icon that appears behind the wearer's neck bearing an ornate design consisting of an oval with multiple emanating rays in silver gilt, measuring 35.5 mm (w) x 29.7 mm (h) inclusive of its loops; each of the icons with one or two loops affixed on either side and linked by a single chain link; the collar measuring approximately 900 mm in length. There is chipping evident in the black enamels on the Eagle of St, John's chest in the third eagle to the right of the centre position, otherwise, the enamels are intact, including that on the badge, the latter exhibiting light contact on its reverse. Near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise is a Spanish civil order established in 1939, recognizing activities in the fields of education, science, culture, higher education and research. The order was created on May 23, 1902 by Royal decree as the Order of Alfonso XII. In 1988, the order was reformed and given its current name. The main innovation of the 1988 reform was to discontinue the previous award's practice of distinguishing male and female achievements, thereby eliminating explicit sexual discrimination. It is awarded in six grades: Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. The Collar is awarded to heads of state or government, heads of high state institutions, and heads of international organizations. This grade is awarded by Royal Decree with the proposal of the Minister of Education, the Order's Grand Chancellor. Holders of the collar are granted the honorific The Most Excellent. It is limited to six recipients.