Ecuador – National Order of Merit, GC star

Description

The Order was instituted on 8 October 1921 as the Medalla al Mérito (Medal of Merit) and re-designated as an Order in six grades on 2 December 1929 to be awarded for extraordinary achievements rendered to the nation, both civil and military and to both Ecuadorians and foreigners. Silver ball-tipped Maltese fish scaled cross with laurel wreath between the arms.

On the face with an oval central medallion bearing three mountain tops topped with a sun, encircled by a red enamel ring inscribed in gilt characters “REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR, AL MERITO” (The Republic of Ecuador, For merit).

The reverse is mounted with a pin with a hallmark.