Commander’s Cross, 60x55 mm., GOLD, as a four armed cross of Maltese type, flanked by faceted, triangular rays, the arms, curiously not white enameled (recalling the “old” Order of the Golden Spur), but finely pebbled and with polished borders, the lower arm, fitted with a knightly spur with rotating wheel, white enameled centre medallion quith separately-made, embossed image of the saint in gold. Within blue enameled outer circlet bearing the inscription “SANC. SILVESTER – P . M .” in golden lettering, the reverse, finished similarly to the obverse, but white enameled centre medallion bearing the date “MDCCCXlI”, within blue enameled outer circlet inscribed “GREGORIVS . XVI . RESTITVIT”, richly ornamented upper loop with large, grooved ribbon-ring, with original neck ribbon.
A beautiful, perhaps unique piece form the earliest period after the reinstitution of the Order in 1841, excellent execution and condition. I RR!