Order Of Ferdinand I, Grand Cross Breast Star

** The enamel is in perfect condition, but the photo shows some reflection. More photos available if required.

The breast star of the "Ferdinand I" order is made of a gold plated metal and has a rhombic, domed shape. The obverse of the plate is decorated with uneven rays on the surface of the metal. In the center of the plaque is the cross of the order, made from green enamel and encased in gold metal. The surface of the reverse side of the plate is smooth, having a domed central medallion in the center, showing Joseph Resch Fils Bucarest, the name of the jeweler's workshop and the place where the breast star was made.

The Order of Ferdinand I was created on May 8, 1929, in memory of King Ferdinand I of Romania. The order had six classes and could only be awarded to Romanian citizens who had made a special contribution to the Great Union of 1918. The order was awarded for the last time in 1937.

The Order was created by the Council of Regency (which supervised the underage King Mihai I), in pursuit of two goals, both honoring the memory of King Ferdinand I of Romania, and rewarding those who had contributed to the creation of Greater Romania.

On the occasion of the reception offered on January 24, 1942 for the knights of the Order of Ferdinand I at the Royal Palace, King Mihai concluded a confidential agreement with Iuliu Maniu, Dinu Brătianu and Titel Petrescu (the leaders of the historical parties banned since 1938) for "taking Romania out of the war across the Dniester and its attachment to the allied Western powers, in whose victory it was believed", as the former sovereign would formulate in a message from August 1993.

The order had six degrees. Through the reform of 1933, the number of members was expanded. The members of the order bore the generic name of knights of the Order of Ferdinand I, regardless of the rank held:

Colan (limited to 5, then 8 members)
Grand Cross (limited to 10, then 15 members)
Grand Officer (limited to 25, then 40 members)
Commander (limited to 40, then 60 members)
Officer (limited to 50, then 75 members)
Knight (limited to 70, then 100 members)