Belgium Cross of the Military Veterans of Leopold II 1909

Black enamel Maltese cross with splayed arms, on swivel crown suspension; the face with a central hexagonal gilt medallion bearing the head of King Leopold II facing left and signed ‘PD’ (probably for Paul Dubois, best known as the designer of the Belgian Inter-Allied Victory Medal 1914-1918) within a border decorated with laurel; the reverse unenamelled, inscribed ‘VETERAN MILITAIRE VETERAAN’, with the dates ‘1865’ and ‘1909’, the monogram of Leopold II and the initials ‘UN’ and ‘NV’ (for ‘National Union’ in French and Flemish); very slight chip to the extreme tip of the upper right arm, otherwise enamel in excellent condition; on original ribbon, the face age-faded, probably through display. The Cross was awarded by the National Union of Military Veterans to veterans who had served under King Leopold II to mark his death on 17 December 1909. An impressive award. Condition I.