- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 30 September 1984
- Country: Argentina (Other Countries)
The Order of the Liberator General San Martin (or Orden del Libertador General San Martín in Spanish) is the highest decoration awarded by the Governement of Argentina. It is given to foreign politicians or military, deemed as worthy of the highest recognition by the country and it’s granted by the sitting President of Argentina.
The order receives its name from José de San Martín, Father of the Land and Liberator. The award was established in 1943 (Decree 5000 from August 17th, 1943) and modified on May 21st 1948 (Decree 16628 from 1957, which creates the Order). The rules used today date from December 18th, 1967.
The Grand Master of the Order presides over a national council and is the President of the Nation, same who confers the award. The Order headquarters is the Ministry of Foreign Relations, International Commerce and Cult.
The grades of the Order are:
- Collar (Collar)
- Grand Cross (Gran Cruz)
- Grand Officer (Gran Oficial)
- Commander (Comendador)
- Officer (Oficial)
- Member (Caballero)
The Order of the Liberator General San Martin Medal Design
The medal was designed by Ángel Eusebio Ibarra García. It’s struck in gold and shows a condor, the sable and General San Martin’s portrait in a frame made of sun rays.
Only one Order with the Extraordinary grade was awarded: to Eva Perón in 1952. It was made of 3821 pieces of gold and platinum, and 753 precious stones. It was made by the jewelers joyería Ghiso S.A. and designed by Aída Louzao. After the Military Dictatorship of 1955, the collar was disassembled and the pieces went to auction.
The reverse of the Argentinian $5 bill shows the collar of the Order.
