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Miniature green-enamel-edged white enamel and silver-gilt five-armed Maltese cross with gilt ball-tipped finials and graduated silver-gilt rays between the arms, with eyelet and oval green enamel wreath of oak and laurel with laterally-pierced ball and ring for ribbon suspension bearing the French ‘poinçon de crabe’ silver hallmark; the face with a circular central light blue enamel medallion bearing a polychrome crown of Iran within a gilt ring bearing a green enamel laurel wreath and the date ‘????’ (1332 = 1913 AD); the reverse with a circular central light blue enamel medallion bearing a gilt radiant sun with a male face; diameter 15.50mm (0.61 inch); on original ribbon. The date of the foundation of the medal is stated in many sources as 1941, whilst others claim it was already in existence in the Qajar era about 1900. Photographs of the coronation of Reza Shah in 1925 show him wearing the Grand Collar of the Order, which rather rules out the later date of foundation. It is not unreasonable to suggest the date AH 1332 (1913 AD) that appears on the face of the Order as the date of its institution. The Order was awarded for outstanding meritorious service to Iran and was suppressed in February 1979 following the Iranian Revolution. The Order is rare, especially in miniature.
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