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Miniature white enamel and silver-gilt urdy cross with green enamel oak and laurel wreath between the arms, on laterally-pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central white enamel medallion bearing the gilt head in relief of Vasco Núñez de Balboa facing left, circumscribed in gilt letters ‘ORDEN DE VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA’; the reverse with a circular central silver-gilt medallion bearing a map in relief of Panama and inscribed ‘REPUBLICA DE PANAMA’, a five-pointed star at the base; slight loss of green enamel from the wreath, chips to the white enamel of the upper left of the upper arm and lower right of the right arm of the face and lower left of the left and lower arms of the reverse; diameter 15.53mm (0.61 inch); on original ribbon with grand cross rosette. The Order was instituted on 1 July 1941 in five grades and awarded for distinguished diplomatic service and contributions to international relations between Panama and other states. Vasco Núñez de Balboa (ca. 1475-1519) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador, most famous for leading the first European expedition from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean in 1513.
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