Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Alexander, Iv Class Officer With Crown, C.1910

(Орден "Свети Александър"). Instituted in 1881. Type II with Imperial Crown. In bronze gilt with red, white and green enamels, measuring 39.5 mm (w) x 72.5 mm (h) inclusive of its Imperial crown suspension, chipping evident in the red jewel at the base of the crown on the obverse, otherwise the enamels are intact, large rosette on its original triangular ribbon with hook and eye, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of St Alexander was the second highest Bulgarian order during the Kingdom of Bulgaria. It was established by Knyaz Alexander I with a decree on December 25, 1881, named in honour of the patron saint of Alexander Battenberg. Initially it was planned to have five grades and a necklace but subsequently four grades and grand and lesser Necklace were formed, with a Grand Cross being added in 1908. In time, wartime grades with swords in the middle and above the cross were added. The order was awarded to Bulgarian and foreign citizens with the personal benevolence of the Bulgarian monarch, who was the Grand Master.