Silver-gilt and white enamel four-pointed Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, a green and orange enamel laurel wreath between the arms, on laurel wreath suspension, this now detached from the cross; the face with a circular central silver-gilt medallion bearing the arms of the Republic of Honduras above crossed Honduran flags within a green enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS’, a star at the base, the reverse with a circular central silver-gilt medallion inscribed ‘MERITO CIVIL’ within a green enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘ORDEN DE SANTA ROSA Y DE LA CIVILIZACION’, a star at the base; some chips and cracks to the white enamel, some loss of green enamel from the ring of the face; on original ribbon with rosette denoting an award of the officer class and brooch-mounted with pin for wear; with corresponding miniature of similar design, diameter 13.72mm (0.54 inch); in original case of issue by A. Kretly of Paris.
The Order was instituted by President José María Medina on 21 February 1868 in five classes with different versions for military, civil and religious merit..
The Order was discontinued in 1901 and thus had a life of just 33 years, making it very rare.
Please note the cross is now detached from the suspension.
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