Red enamel Greek (Geneva) cross, five-pointed silver gilt stars between the arms, on oval green enamel laurel wreath suspension; the face with a central circular medallion bearing the polychrome arms of the Republic of Cuba within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘INTER INIMICOS CHARITAS (Charity between enemies); the reverse with a circular central blue enamel medallion bearing the date ‘1910’ in gilt script numerals within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘ORDEN DE HONOR Y MERITO’ (Order of Merit and Honour); a few hairline cracks to the white enamel rings and small impact to the lower left of the ring of the face (see illustrations); on original ribbon with top suspension bar. The Cuban Red Cross was founded by Diego Tamayo y Figueredo on 10 March 1909 and recognised by the International Red Cross on 7 September 1909. The relatively small size of the Cuban Red Cross and the political history of Cuba make all its orders rare, especially in senior grades. This very good, high-quality example was for many years in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.
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