Imperial Service Order, GVIR Cypher, Gentleman issue, silver, gold and enamels, hallmarks for Birmingham with date letter ‘Y’ for 1948, with pin for wear
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Instituted by King Edward VII as a means of rewarding long and faithful service in the Administrative and Clerical grades of the Civil Service at home and overseas. Women were admitted to the order in 1908. The award was awarded for at least 25 years service at home, 20 years and 6 months in India, and 16 years in the tropics, but in exceptional cases awards were made for “eminently meritorious service” irrespective of qualifying period. No United Kingdom awards have been made since 1995 but some Commonwealth awards continue to this day. To date some 2150 awards have been made to Gentleman during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
