RARE WW1 & WW2 ERA REPUBLIC OF CHILE ORDER MERIT GRAND OFFICER GRADE MEDAL BADGE

Offered is a very good example of the Grand Officer grade of the Chilean Order of Merit.  Medal consists of a ball-tipped five pointed star in gilt finished silver & bronze, featuring solid laurel wreath in each quadrant also in silvered bronze, the obverse centre in silver exhibiting a female head denoting the republic government, surrounded by the inscription REPUBLICA DE CHILE (Republic of Chile), with white enamel arms, showing some light wear & small chipping, with the reverse centre also in gilt, depicting a laurel branch with the inscription AL MERITO (To Merit), suspended by a detailed gilt Andean Condor, one of the two Chilean national animals, with vertical gilt suspension ring and short length of blue neck ribbon.

The Order of Merit was instituted in 1906 as the Medal of Merit, which was promoted to an order in 1929. It was awarded to recognize foreign military personnel and nationals who rendered outstanding services to the Republic of Chile.