Deep red enamel Maltese cross decussate with gilt ball-tipped finials, with gilt rays between the arms, with eyelet and gilt bar for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central red enamel medallion inscribed ‘1ER’ and circumscribed ‘1910 1911 PERIODO’ within a gilt border, an outer ring inscribed ‘MERITO - REVOLUCIONARIO’; the reverse with a circular central medallion inscribed ‘CREADA POR DECRETO / No 659 / Y / CONCEDIDA POR / MERITOS REVOLUCIONARIOS’ (created for Decree No 659 and awarded for revolutionary merit) within a laurel border; a chip to the red enamel of the tip of the lower branch of the upper left arm, ‘hairs’ and darkening to the tip of the upper branch of the lower right arm; age discolouration and slight wear to the gilding; on original faded ribbon with plain gilt top bar mounted for wear. The Cross was instituted by Presidential decree of 5 October 1939 to be awarded for outstanding merit in the revolutionary war against the government headed by José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori between 19 November 1910 and 15 May 1911.
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