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Miniature gilt-edged blue enamel Maltese cross with stylised laurel leaves between the arms, on oval wreath and laterally-pierced loop suspension; the face with a circular central gilt medallion bearing a half-length bare-chested figure of a male worker, a hammer in his outstretched right hand, his left arm held across his body, office buildings, factories, chimneys and oil derricks below; the reverse plain gilt, inscribed ‘ORDEN / DEL MERITO / INDUSTRIAL / REPUBLICA / DE / COLOMBIA’ and engraved ‘GRAN CRUZ’ between the third and fourth lines; diameter 15.41mm (0.6 inch); slight glue residue to the lower reverse; on original ribbon cut short. The Order was instituted by Decree 2898 in 1954 in four classes, of which Gran Cruz is the most senior, to be awarded to both Colombian citizens and foreigners for high achievement or meritorious service in the field of national industry.
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