Circular silver medal with integral crown suspension and ribbon ring with silver hallmark and ‘900’ purity mark; the face with the cipher of Prince Rainier III circumscribed ‘PRINCIPAUTE DE MONACO 1952’ within a border of lozenges from the arms of the ruling Grimaldi family encircled by a laurel wreath; the reverse with a trophy of objects, including an open book, an artist’s palette, a lute, a column, a cogwheel, a retort, a globe and a pair of compasses, inscribed ‘ARTS LETTRES SCIENCES’ within a border of lozenges from the arms of the ruling Grimaldi family encircled by a laurel wreath; height excluding ribbon ring 24.84mm (0.98 inch), width 14.94mm (0.59 inch); excess surface solder from the joining of the crown to the medal; lacking ribbon. The Order was founded by Prince Rainier III on 31 December 1952 to recognise those who through their work contributed to the development of the arts, letters and sciences of Monaco. The Order may also be awarded to non-Monegasque citizens who contribute to the intellectual capital of the Principality in these fields. This example came from the workshops of De Greef of Brussels. A rare miniature.
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