Miniature silver thirty-two-pointed rayed faceted star, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face an oval escutcheon imposed bearing the arms of Venezuela; the reverse plain; height 19mm (0.75 inch), width 15.2mm (0.6 inch); on replaced correct ribbon. The Order, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the ‘Order of Bolívar’ or the ‘Order of the Bust of Bolívar’, was originally founded on 14 September 1880 under President Antonio Guzmán Blanco. It was reformed in 1922 under the Presidency of Juan Vicente Gómez and regarded as a direct descendant of the ‘Medalla de Distinción con el busto del Libertador’ created on 11 March 1854 under the Presidency of José Gregorio Monagas. It is the highest award of the Venezuelan Republic and intended to reward distinguished service to the country, outstanding merit and beneficent works for the community. Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco (1783-1830) was a major historical figure and revolutionary leader instrumental in liberating the northern countries of South America, including his native Venezuela, from Spanish colonial rule. Widely revered in those countries, he is referred to as ‘El Libertador’. This example is by De Greef of Brussels, Belgium and dates from the mid-20th Century.
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