WW1 WW2 ERA SPAIN ORDER OF ISABELLA THE CATHOLIC MEDAL KNIGHT GRADE

31mm wide gilt bronze and red enamel Maltese cross, each arm with ball-tipped finials and with three short points between two longer ones, with three forked rays between the arms, the central ray longer than those to either side, on oval green enamel laurel wreath suspension; the face with a circular central rayed medallion with the white enamel Pillars of Hercules on a green enamel base to the left and a blue enamel crowned sphere to the right, within a white enamel ring inscribed ‘A LA LEALDAD ACRISOLADA’ (for irreproachable loyalty); the reverse with a circular central blue enamel medallion bearing the crowned cypher of Queen Isabella II within a white enamel ring inscribed ‘POR ISABELLA LA CATOLICA’ (For Isabella the Catholic); excellent enamel & gilt finish overall; on original ribbon.

The Order was created for King Fernando VII on 24 March 1815 to reward those defending Spanish possessions in the Americas against frequent insurrections and to recognise loyalty, zeal, patriotism and bravery on behalf of the Crown in remote lands. It was named for St. Isabella (1451-1504), Queen of Castile and wife of Ferdinand of Aragon, during whose reign America was discovered by Christopher Columbus. The Order continues to be awarded and there are a number of versions in existence.