(Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III). Instituted in 1771 by King Charles III of Spain. Alfonso XIII’s issue. In 18K Gold, Maltese Cross with blue enameling and white borders, featuring a fleur-de-lis in each quadrant, with a yellow and blue enamelled obverse centre exhibiting a superposed handmade figure of Virgin Mary, the reverse depicting the cypher of Charles III of Spain surrounded by a blue enamelled border inscribed by the Latin inscription VIRTUTI ET MERITO (Virtue and Merit), suspended by an ornamented unusual laurel wreath, with an elongated loop suspension, measuring 52.1mm (w) x 77.3mm (h), weighs 28.4 grams, accompanied by a replacement neck ribbon, large enamel chip on the obverse center medallion, light cracks on arms otherwise in extremely fine condition.
Accompanied by a miniature, in Gold and enamels, measures 9.1mm (w) x 15.5mm (h – inclusive of wreath an integral ring), weighs 1.0 gram (including short ribbon), enamels intact, remains in extremely fine condition.

