(Orden del Mérito Militar). Instituted in 1864. In silver gilt with red, white and blue enamels, the colour of the red enamels on the cross indicating war service, measuring 65.8 mm (w) x 65.5 mm (h), vertical pinback flanked by dual stays, intact enamels, 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. Juan Carlos I (Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón, born January 5, 1938) is a member of the Spanish royal family who reigned as King of Spain from November 1975 until his abdication in June 2014. In Spain, since his abdication, Juan Carlos has usually been referred to as the Rey Emérito ("King Emeritus").