The Indian Order of Merit realises from £2 10_s._ to £8 8_s._ in the sale-room according to class and action for which it was awarded. It is noteworthy, however, that in June 1900 the following prices were paid in the auction-room: First Class, £58; Second Class, £40; and Third Class, £35. When the order is unnamed, as it was issued, and there is no record of the services for which it was earned, prices invariably range lower than these. =Order of British India.=--This order was instituted at the same time as the Order of Merit, to reward native commissioned officers for long and faithful service in the Indian Army. Since 1878, however, any person, European or native, holding a commission in a native regiment, became eligible for admission to the Order without reference to creed or colour. The First Class consists of a gold eight-pointed radiated star 1½ in. in diameter. The centre is occupied by a lion statant gardant upon a ground of light-blue enamel, within a dark-blue band inscribed ORDER OF BRITISH INDIA, and encircled by two laurel wreaths of gold. A gold loop and ring are attached to the crown for suspension from a broad ornamental band ⁹⁄₁₀ in. in diameter, through which the ribbon, once blue, now red, is passed for suspension from the neck. The Second Class is 1⁷⁄₁₀ in. in diameter with dark-blue enamelled centre; there is no crown on this class, and the suspender is formed of an ornamental gold loop. The reverse is plain in both classes. The First Class carries with it the title Sirdar Bahadur, and an additional allowance of two rupees a day; and the second the title of Bahadur, and an extra allowance of one rupee per day. =India Meritorious Service Medal.=--This was instituted on July 27th, 1888, and on receipt of the medal the order states "a non-commissioned officer must surrender his Long Service and Good Conduct medal"; but on being promoted to a commission he may retain the M.S. medal, but the annuity attached to it will cease. On the obverse is the diademed bust of Queen Victoria facing left, with a veil falling over the crown behind, encircled by the legend VICTORIA KAISAR-I-HIND. On the reverse is a wreath of lotus leaves enclosing a wreath of palm tied at the base, having a star beneath; between the two wreaths is the inscription FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. Within the palm wreath is the word INDIA. The medal, 1⅖ in. in diameter, is suspended from a scroll by means of a red ribbon 1¼ in. wide. The medals issued during the reigns of Queen Victoria's successors bear on the obverse their bust in profile with the legend altered to EDWARDVS or GEORGIVS. The Victoria medals have realised from £3 3_s._ to £4 10_s._, and those of King Edward £4 to £5.