Order of Social Merit
Knight Class
(Ordre du Mérite Social)
Seven-pointed pale blue enamel ball-tipped star with laurel wreath between the arms, on laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a circular central gilt medallion bearing a full-face female head representative of the French Republic within a circular white enamel ring inscribed ‘MERITE SOCIAL’; the reverse with a circular central gilt medallion inscribed ‘MINISTERE DU TRAVAIL’ within a circular white enamel ring; some enamel loss to star, on original ribbon and pin. The Order was created on 25 October 1936 and modified on 14 February 1937 and intended to recognise outstanding service to Provident and Mutual Associations and organisations involved with social insurance and benevolent provision. The Order has not been awarded since 1963 and thus had a life of twenty-seven years.
Medals Ref.2222
