Spain, Order of Agricultural Merit. 1905-1930. First Model

Wonderful historical medal that corresponds to the Order of Agricultural Merit. This order dates from the reign of Alphonse the Third (1902-1931). It is a beautiful antique piece which joins its social relevance to the nice silversmiths work and the colorful enamels it boasts. The medal comes in its original white case, covered by a soft fabric outside and with shiny white satin inside. The medal is plate in the shape of a star, whose central design shows an embossed image of a women working the land at dawn. This picture is surrounded by a circular inscription with white background and the words MERITO AGRÍCOLA (agricultural merit) in silver. Around the inscription there are a series of small silver figures, perfectly engraved, that depict the Zodiac symbols and two small wheat stalks on the right lower corner. This set is adorned with an elegant golden and red crown at the top and the Spanish shield at the bottom. Framing all these details we can see some green enameled silver rays which make up an eight-pointed star. The case which houses the medal is the perfect place to keep it sage, and inside the lid we can read the name and address of the place where it was bought: C. JORDANA Príncipe, 9 MADRID. The Order of Agricultural Merit was founded during the reign of Alphonse the Third of Spain, specifically in 1905. In 1987 it turned into the current Order to Agricultural, Fishing and Food Merit. The antique order was awarded to people and institutions which had shown an outstanding job in the agricultural industry. It belonged to the so-called civil orders, which are only awarded because of this kind of merits (not military). This is a highly prestigious medal, both the ancient version and the current one. Moreover, as we can see this piece is also a very beautiful and valuable item, which can be the finishing touch for a good collection of military antiques. Measurements: 87 mm diameter.