France, II Empire. A National Order of the Legion of Honour in Gold, Commander Cross, c. 1865. visually-hidden "Honours and Awards of the

"Honours and Awards of the Old Contemptibles" is a companion volume to "South African War Honours and Awards" and is based on a virtually unobtainable publication of the Army and Navy Gazette in 1915

the obverse with a raised leftward-facing profile of Grand Duke Peter II

the reverse has markings "RZM" and "M4/22" (C

with oxidation evident throughout the core

France, II Empire. A National Order of the Legion of Honour in Gold, Commander Cross, c. 1865. visually-hidden "Honours and Awards of the(Honneur et Patrie). Instituted in 1802. In 18 karat gold with white, blue, and green enamels, five pointed star in white enamel surrounded by green enamelled laurel wreath, each of the arms finished with two finials, obverse centrepiece shows the profile of Napoleon with the inscription Napoleon Emp. Des Francais in blue enamelled ring, reverse centrepiece shows imperial eagle facing right surrounded by blue enameled ring with the inscription Honneur