Miniature gilt five-pointed ball-tipped star, with a laurel wreath between the arms, the suspension a condor of the Andes with wings spread; the face with a circular central gilt medallion bearing a female head facing right within a ring inscribed ‘REPUBLICA DE CHILE’; the reverse with a circular central silver medallion with a laurel branch encircled by the inscription ‘AL MERITO’; height 20.16mm (0.79 inch), width 14.81mm (0.58 inch); on original ribbon with rosette on a gilt thread ground denoting an award of the Grand Cross rank. The order was established in 1910 and is the highest Chilean honour. It is unusual in that both it and the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins are reserved solely for award to non-Chileans who have achieved distinction not only in the realms of diplomacy and politics but also the arts, charitable works and other fields.
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