Cuba Order of Military Merit III Class for Special Services 1933

Gilt bronze Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, a laurel wreath between the arms, on circular laurel wreath suspension; the face with a circular central green enamel medallion with the initials ‘MM’ encircled by the words ‘HONOR VIRTUD VALOR’ (Honour, Virtue, Valour); the reverse with a gilt central medallion with the arms of Cuba; on original ribbon with gilt laurel-decorated suspension bar. The Order of Military Merit was created on 27 February 1912. It was unusual in that different colours and combinations of enamels and ribbons were used to denote both different grades and purposes of award. These were dark red for military merit, red and white for humanitarian acts, blue for good conduct, blue and white for conspicuous service, green for special services and white for other services. In higher grades, the arms of the cross are enamelled. This example probably dates from the 1930s or 1940s. All pre-revolutionary Cuban awards are hard to find. Condition I-II.