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Five-armed white enamel Maltese cross with silvered graduated rays between the arms, on green enamel oval laurel wreath suspension; the face with a gilt-edged circular central blue enamel medallion bearing the gilt crown of Belgium; the reverse with a gilt-edged circular central blue enamel medallion bearing the cipher of King Leopold II, founder of the Order; slight chips to the blue enamel of the face possibly from being worn alongside another award; on original ribbon.
The Order was instituted in 1897, initially as an award of the Belgian Congo. In 1908 the Order became also a Belgian order, given to recognise service to the Belgian state, both civil and military, and may be awarded to both Belgian nationals and foreign citizens.
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