Portugal, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Grand Officer’s Star, by Da Costa consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac overlaid by a central raised

overlaid by a central raised IMperial Russian eagle clutching an orb and sceptre

Radiation and Power Department

with clusters of three rays in each quadrant

effective September 9

In the 1817 Almanach der Ritter=Orden by Friedrich Gottschalck is a plate with a faithful representation of how the Order was designed to appear

Portugal, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Grand Officer’s Star, by Da Costa consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac overlaid by a central raised(Ordem do Mrito Militar). Instituted 1946. In silver gilt, a star featuring clusters of three smooth rays, the obverse medallion in red and white enamels bearing the inscription MERITO MILITAR, the reverse presents a vertical pin assembly, maker marked FREDERICO DA COSTA LISBOA, measures 73. 7 mm (w) x 74 mm (h), weighs 62. 8 grams, small cracks in the white enamel cross, areas of slight gilt loss, remains near extremely fine.