French Order of the Legion of Honour, Officer’s Cross

The Officer's Cross with the date 1870 on the red ribbon comes from the period of the Third and Fourth Republic (1870-1951). It is a five-armed star, both sides enamelled white, with the arms of a Maltese cross as rays, and an enamelled green laurel wreath between the arms. The medallion on the obverse features a female head (Marianne) encircled with an inscription: Republique Française 1870. The badge is suspended by an enamelled laurel and an oak wreath.
The Legion of Honour was the first national award in Christian countries whose badge had the shape of a star, rather than a cross. The order was established by Napoleon Bonaparte and existed under seven different political systems in France. The appearance of the order underwent changes according to the existing ideological principles. The Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest national award bestowed by the French State. The Legion of Honour is bestowed for special achievements in the military and civilian life.