India - Colonial. BRITISH INDIA: Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, 1878-1948, miniature AV medal, 2.61g; enameled five red rose petals separated by green barbs and topped with a crown at center, crowned bust of Queen Victoria with Latin legend IMPERATRICIS AUSPICIIS (under the auspices of the Empress), without the ribbon, RR. The British Raj gave the recipient a paper document, which permitted the recipient to take the document to one of several private jewelers that would produce the miniature medal. Although the medal was no longer presented after 1948, the Order was nominally in existence until at least 2010.
