Good evening,

I specially like this one because my Grand father got it 45 years ago.
I have so decided to speak about this Order.

The Commercial Merit Order

1 – The Commercial Merit Order :
The Commercial Merit Order was instituted by statutory order the 27th of May 1939 in France. Its aim was to reward what people could have done for the country regarding the economy and foreign trade.

It was divided in 3 grades : Chevalier, Officer et Commander. It was run by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, helped by an Order Council.
The medal was from the engraver « Georges Guiraud ». There were 4 models.

2 - The Commercial and Industrial Merit Order :
It was instituted by statutory order the 29th of June 1961 in France. The Commercial and Industrial Merit Order replaced the Commercial Merit Order.
It was also divided in 3 grades : Chevalier, Officer et Commander, and was also run by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, helped by an Order Council.

3 – The National Merit Order :
The statutory order of the 3rd of December 1963, instituting the National Merit Order, abolished the Commercial and Industrial Merit Order.
-------------------------------------------------

Four models of this order had existed..
The Chevalier insignia was built from vermeil. The Officer one was also in vermeil or in gold. Both had a 40 mm diameter.
The Commander insignia was bigger (57 mm) also in gold or vermeil.

First Model :



picture : FRANCE-PHALERISTIQUE
http://www.france-phaleristique.com/accueil.htm

Double side 8 point stars , looking like a compass card with four thicker main points .
The 8 points are jointed by a enamelled jagged wheel (blue, white and red)
A caduceus, belonging to Mercury, the Roman God of trade is composed by 2 snakes surrounding the central medallion and by 2 wings for the suspension ring (to fix the ribbon).
On the obverse  : the Republic on the central medallion , turned on the left watching a sailing ship symbolizing foreign trade              
On the reverse : the World on the central medallion surrounded by the words : Ordre du Mérite Commercial
 
Second model :





picture : FRANCE-PHALERISTIQUE
http://www.france-phaleristique.com/accueil.htm

The star was different because of :

¨  the snakes were surrounding the entire medallion
¨  the Republic and the ship changed ;
¨  on the reverse side : the words « MERITE COMMERCIAL».
 
Third model (June 1961):

the only difference was the writtings on the reverse :
« MERITE  COMMERCIAL  ET  INDUSTRIEL ».
 
Fourth model : (until 1963) :





The star was much more different because of :
¨  the points were smaller so the wheel was more visible (so were the colors)l
¨   the central medallion was also smaller and the Republic was wearing the Phrygian bonnet while watching a factory and a modern ship.
¨  On the reverse side, the World was enamelled with blue and was surrounded by the words :  « ORDRE  DU  MERITE  COMMERCIAL  ET  INDUSTRIEL. »

Since the statutory order of the 3rd of December 1963, the National Merit Order, abolished the Commercial and Industrial Merit Order.



That is it.

Good night.

FAB

Dear FAB

Bonjour.

Very interesting information. Many thanks.

D

Hello FAB,

Great article !!! And a very attractive order in all its grades and models !

Best regards,
Hendrik

:noel4:

in order to conclude the topic :

here is a picture from the diploma (1953) for the 2nd type :

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Bye.

FAB

:noel4: again,

and a picture of 1962 (4th Type)

[img][/img]

Bye

FAB

Hello :noel4:

To continue : mother and daughter



Happy new year

Bison