enamelled gold centres (“Boar’s head” hallmark) The Order of Isabella the Catholic is an order instituted in Spain in 1815 by Ferdinand VII, to reward those who had defended his domains of America. The cross is gold, with eight pointed tips, topped with an Olympic crown; in the middle is the emblem of America, with this motto: ‘A la Lealtad Acrisolada’ (for proven loyalty); the ribbon is mottled white, with orange stripes. The last regulation of the Order of Isabella the Catholic was approved by royal decree in 1998. Its current function is to ‘reward extraordinary behaviours of a civil nature, carried out by Spanish and foreign persons, who have acted for the benefit of the Spanish nation or contributed significantly to fostering relations of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish nation and the rest of the international community.’ Currently, this distinction depends on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The grand master of the order is the King of Spain. The grand chancellor of the order is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.