Spain, Spanish State. An Order of Military Merit Grand Cross Breast Star, II Class, with Red Distinction. GTRexclude the latter in its cardboard

the latter in its cardboard box of issue)

affixed to the reverse

signed “To Jim Higgins with best wishes

the obverse presenting a silver gilt crown on a red enamelled field surrounded by a green enamel laurel wreath

enamel repair evident on the arms

Spain, Spanish State. An Order of Military Merit Grand Cross Breast Star, II Class, with Red Distinction. GTRexclude the latter in its cardboard(Cruces del Mrito Militar). Instituted in 1864. Type VI (1936 1976). Multiple piece construction, an eight point star with faceted rays, silver gilt and enamels center cross with alternating lions and castilles in each quadrant, vertical pinback with dual stays, unmarked, measuring at 70 mm in diameter, intact enamels, extremely fine. Footnote: The Order was instituted on 3 August 1864 by Queen Isabella II as the Order of Military Merit; since then,