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Ordine al merito civile di Savoia

The Savoyan Civil Order of Merit was instituted on October 29th, 1831 with only one Knight’s Class by Carl Albert, King of Sardinia.
Eligible for the Order were citizens of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piemonte having rendered meritorious services to the State or to those having attained equal legal positions.
The award was made up of a plain cross in blue enamel with a gold coloured medaillon in the center. The obverse displayed the initials C.A. of the founder, the reverse displays the words "AL MERITO CIVILE 1831".
The ribbon is white with a blue stripe in the center and the award was worn on the left breast or in the left buttonhole.
The number of living members was limited to 70. The award was continued following the unification of Italy but following the institution of the Republic of Italy in 1946, it was exempted by law. Although the award is still the House Order of the House of Savoya, it is not permitted to wear the Order on public occasions.

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