MAXIMILIAN'S DECORATION FOR MERIT.
Created October 14, 1863, for civil and military merit. Some authorities give the date as March 10, 1865. There were three classes, the first a gold cross, the second a silver medal and the third a bronze medal. The cross is of white enamel and, if awarded for military merit, is surmounted by trophies of arms. On the obverse is IMPERIO MEXICANO 1863. On the reverse is the Mexican eagle and the words AL MERITO CIVIL or AL MERITO MILITAR, according to the award. The second and third class medals have on the obverse the head of the Emperor facing to the right and the legend MAXIMILIANO EMPERADOR. The reverse shows the inscription AL MERITO CIVIL or AL MERITO MILITAR, according to the award, within a laurel wreath. General Falls, in his notes on medal ribbons, shows the first class as bright red, watered, 37 mm. wide; the second class as bright red moiré (38 mm.) with white side stripes (5 mm.) placed 4 mm. from the edges. The third class watered ribbon (37 mm.) is composed of three equal stripes, green, red and white. A second class medal for military merit in the American Numismatic Society collection has a red ribbon 30 mm. wide with white side stripes 5.5 mm., 3 mm. from the edges. These medals are found in various sizes, 33, 34, 37, or 39 mm. in diameter. Some were designed by S. C. Navalon, others by E. Falot, while those by Charles Trotin and René Stern show the Emperor's head facing to the left. Variations in the lettering may also be noticed. Wahlen illustrates a gold medal for military merit and states that the medal for civil merit is suspended from a green ribbon.