Silver gilt-edged white enamel cross pattée with green and red enamel oak and laurel wreath between the arms, on scroll suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the polychrome head of Saint Agatha facing left within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘SANT’ AGATA PROTETTRICE’ (Saint Agatha protector); the reverse with a central circular sky blue enamel medallion bearing the silver-gilt arms of San Marino in relief within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘BENE MERENTI’ (Well merited); on original ribbon; with buttonhole rosette. The Order of Saint Agatha was instituted on 5 June 1923 to be awarded for outstanding civil or military services to the Republic of San Marino and for notable achievements in the fields of arts, sciences and politics and for notable charitable works. Saint Agatha is, with Saint Marinus, patron saint of the Republic. Saint Agatha was born in Sicily and tortured and martyred in Catania in AD251 for her refusal to submit to the advances of Quintianus, a consular official. San Marino is the third smallest state in Europe (after the Vatican City and Monaco). Founded by Saint Marinus, in AD301, it is the oldest surviving republic in existence. A ruggedly mountainous country, it is completely surrounded by Italy and has a population of less than 30,000, with another 5,000 Sammarinese citizens resident abroad. For this reason, its orders are scarce. A superb example in pristine condition.
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