Five-pointed silver and pale green enamel star with ball-tipped finials, with sword blades between the arms, with loop and cylinder suspension; the face with a circular central silver-gilt rayed medallion bearing a gilt-edged red enamel map of Benin within a white enamel ring inscribed ‘REPUBLIQUE DU DAHOMEY • MERITE DU BENIN’; the reverse plain; hairline cracks and chips to the green enamel; on original ribbon. The Order was instituted on 24 October 1961 in three grades and was the country’s second ranked order, to be awarded to both civilians and military who contributed to the development of the nation or rendered outstanding service of public interest meriting national recognition. The first version had red, rather than green, enamel arms; this second version was most likely introduced following one of the numerous coups that occurred between 1961 and 1972. The Republic changed its name from Dahomey to Benin in 1975 and this example must date from before that change. The Order is rarely found.
|