Italy, Kingdom of Two Sicilies. A Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star, in Gold, c. 1805 certificate_of_authenticity "The Varsity"

"The Varsity"

(Abstimmungs-Erinnerungsabzeichen)

as per notification from the War Department

period original ribbon with pinback

Italy, Kingdom of Two Sicilies. A Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit, Grand Cross Breast Star, in Gold, c. 1805 certificate_of_authenticity "The Varsity"(Ordine Reale di San Ferdinando e al Merito). Instituted April 1, 1800 by Ferdinand IV, King of Naples. An early Napoleonic star, a silver star with clusters of delicately faceted rays, with a faceted Fleur de Lis in each quadrant, the obverse medallion featuring a Gold and enamelled figure of St. Ferdinand superimposed on a Gold disc, encircled by a blue enamelled ring inscribed FIDEI ET MERITO in the bottom half, the reverse offers a dual pronged