Cross of the Order, GOLD, 68,0 x 39,0 mm., with ball-finials, the arms with red enamel, bordered in white and blue, flanked by golden lions passant, red enameled obverse centre medallion, bearing the golden, standing image of St. Peter of Cetinje (the Saint Patron of the Orthodox church of Montenegro), within blue enameled outer circlet with the cyrillic inscription, meaning "DANIL I OF MONTENEGRO", red enameled reverse centre medallion, bearing the golden date "1852-3", blue enameled centre medallion with the golden, cyrillic inscription meaning "FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF MONTENEGRO", the upper arm with golden lion passant on a stylized rock, surmounted by linked, silver Montenegrinian double eagle crowned in gold, the upper loop, struck with maker'smark, complete with original, triangular ribbon. A most rare decoration of this high family order, probably founded in 1852 by Prince Danilo I. The first award ceremony took place on June 29th, 1871 when the first recipient, the Russian Tsar Aleksander II received it, perfect condition. Bibliography: "Orders, Medals and Insignia of Montenegro", 1980, Obol, w/d. I RR!