Miniature silver-gilt-edged deep blue enamel cross pattée with eyelet and silver-gilt suspension bar with laurel leaf decoration; the face with a circular central white enamel medallion bearing a silver-gilt maple leaf within a red enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘MERIT MERITE CANADA’, the St. Edward’s crown in gilt and red enamel on the upper arm; the reverse plain silver-gilt; diameter 17.49mm (0.69 inch); on original ribbon. The Order, Canada’s second highest award, was instituted on 1 July 1972 to recognise conspicuous merit or exceptional service by any member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Awards are limited to one tenth of one percent (1 per 1,000) of the preceding year’s personnel. Officers of the Order are typically of the rank of Major or Colonel are there are just over one thousand living recipients. A rare high-quality miniature.
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