Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross Breast Star (1815-1847)

SKU: 01.ESP.0112.103.01

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  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Reverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Reverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Reverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Obverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Reverse
  • Grand Cross Breast Star (Gold) Reverse

Attributes

  • country
    Spain
  • date of institution
    March 24, 1815
  • remarks
    This Order is one of the oldest orders in Europe that is still an official reward. Due to its long history, there are known several variation that may include sizes, composition materials, details, and the design of the insignia. Decorations from the First and Second Republics are extremely rare.

History


The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Orden de Isabel la Católica) was instituted as the Royal and American Order of Isabella the Catholic (Real y Americana Orden de Isabella Católica) by royal decree of March 24, 1815. The name of the Order was modified when the Spanish Crown abandoned its intentions of ruling Latin America and overseas on April 15, 1889.

The Order was founded as a civil and military order awarded in recognition of those men who had served the interests of the Spanish Crown in Latin America and overseas.

Originally, the grades were Grand Cross, Knight I Class, and Knight II Class. Additional grades were added over the history of the Order; the Commander by Number was added in 1847; the Silver Cross was added in 1903; and, the Silver and Bronze Medals were added in 1907 for low-ranking soldiers and sailors. The Knight of the Collar was added in 1927, while the Officer grade in 1931.

There was a special medal depicting the bust of Ferdinand VII, that was conferred only upon those who were born in Latin America, and had served to Spanish interests. However, there are no known versions of this medal.

In 1938, the Order was extended to reward women in all ranges, but in a reduced size.

The badge changed as consequences of political events in Spain; during the reign of Ferdinand VII (1815-1847) and the Restoration (1875-1931) the badge featured the cipher of Ferdinand VII; during the reign of Isabella II (1847-1868) the badge featured the cipher of Isabella II; at the Second Republic (1931-1938) the badge depicted a caravel, and during the Franco era (1939-1975) the badge featured a “FY.”

In order of precedence, this Order was the highest decoration for the government of the Second Spanish Republic (1931-1937).

The Order is active in Spain, and its current statements were approved on November 6, 1998. It is conferred to foreigners and Spanish citizens either women or men for meritorious civil acts, especially those that foster the relationships between Spain and other nations.

The Order consists of nine grades, i. e., Collar, Grand Cross, Commander by Number (in some sources known as Grand Officer,) Commander, Officer, Knight (in some sources known as Cross,) Silver Cross, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal.

The motto of the Order can be translated to “For the Pure Loyalty of Isabella the Catholic." The inscription "PLUS ULTRA" features on the banner surrounding the towers on the obverse medallion.

The obverse inscription of the Grand Cross Breast Star depicts “For Pure Loyalty, For Isabella the Catholic." The monogram on the top of the central medallion of the breast star depicts "F7," "Y2," "FR" or a caravel.

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Versions

  • Price

    $1800-2550 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABEL LA CATOLICA F 7

  • Size

    82-85mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version depicts either "F7" or "FR."

  • View Item
  • Price

    $500+ USD

  • Composition

    Embroidered/Silk/Bullion Wire

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABEL LA CATOLICA

  • Size

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1175 USD

  • Composition

    Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA Y2

  • Size

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version depicts a "Y2" in the monogram on the top of the star.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $350-640 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABEL LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    78-85mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    The monogram may depict "F7,"FVII," "Y2," for "FR"

  • View Item
  • Price

    $810+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABEL LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    48mm

  • Maker

    Terral, Paris

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $550+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    78x79mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version depicts a caravel in the monogram on the top of the star.

  • View Item
  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Bronze gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    68x69mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $375 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA FY

  • Size

    81x82mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $190-375 USD

  • Composition

    Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    85mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: PLUS ULTRA A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA POR ISABELA LA CATOLICA

  • Size

    70mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item

Miniatures

  • Price

    $310 USD

  • Size

    21mm

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Remarks

  • Price

    $80 USD

  • Size

    24mm

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Remarks

In Wear

See Licence

Omar Pascha

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