Ecuador. An Order Of The International Foundation Of Eloy Alfaro, Commander Badge, C.1950

A five-pointed gilt and red enamel star with a wreath between the arms tied with a ribbon at the bottom, the obverse centre bears the ¾ left facing portrait of Eloy Alfaro circumscribed with “SIC ITUR AD ASTRA” (SO WE GO TO THE STARS), encompassed by a blue enamel border with gilt inscription “FUNDACION INTERNACIONAL ELOY ALFARO” (INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ELOY ALFARO”, encompassed by an etched border, the reverse is plain, measuring 46.90 mm (w) x 56.70 mm (h), on a yellow neck ribbon with red and blue stripes, very rare, very fine.

Footnote: José Eloy Alfaro Delgado (June 25, 1842 - January 28, 1912) served as President of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911. He became one of the strongest opponents of pro-Catholic conservative President Gabriel Garcia Moreno (1821–1875). For his central role in the Liberal Revolution of 1895 and for having fought conservatism for almost thirty years, he is known as the Viejo Luchador ("Old Warrior"). His major legacies are considered to be national unity, and the integrity of Ecuador's borders; the increased secularization of the country; and the modernization of Ecuadorian society through the introduction of new ideas, education, and systems of public transport and communication. He completed the engineering feat of the Transandino railway linking Guayaquil with Quito. The Ecuadorian Army's military college bears his name, as does the flagship of the Ecuadorian Navy. His effigy appeared on the Ecuadorian 50-cent coin from the 2000 issue.