(Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis). Instituted 1693 by Louis XIV (Louis the Great). Of high manufacture, an excellent example of a Knight’s badge in Gold consisting of a Maltese cross, applique in white enamels with Gold fleur-de-lys in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting a superposed enameled portrait of Saint Louis, surrounded by the motto LUD(OVICUS) M(AGNUS) IN(STITUIT) 1693, (“”Louis the Great instituted it in 1693″”), reverse centre displaying a superposed enameled sword interlaced with a laurel crown and a white sash with enameled red background, surrounded by the inscription BELL(ICAE) VIRTUTIS PRAEM(IUM) (“”reward of wartime valour””), measuring 34.70 mm (w) x 41.21 mm (h – inclusive of horizontally pierced ball suspension), weighing 12.2 grams