Miniature circular silver medal with oval laurel wreath suspension, the suspension ring indistinctly hallmarked; the face with an eight-pointed ball-tipped star with laurel leaves between the arms, a circular central medallion bearing a laurel-crowned female head facing left representative of the French Republic; the reverse inscribed ‘MERITE CIVIQUE’ and circumscribed ‘REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE’ stylised laurel leaves below; diameter 11.64mm (0.46 inch); on original ribbon.
The Medal was instituted by the Académie Française in 1930 in four grades to be awarded for distinguished selfless service to individuals and the community. On 12 of December 1968 it became the Étoile Civique (Civic Star) and is still awarded today.
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