3rd USA auction

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0316 |

Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael Cross of Honour

Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael Cross of Honour

Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael Cross of Honour

LOT US3-0316
SOLD
Auction ended        18th March 2023  |  05:30 pm CET
RESULT
STARTING PRICE: USD 2.750,00
EUR 0,00
GBP 0,00
EXCL. BUYER’S PREMIUM: 22,50 %
THIS ITEM SHIPS FROM THE USA AND IS SOLD BY HISTORY TRADER INC. (TERMS)

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DESCRIPTion, DETaILS & Photos
SAVE FOR LATER
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
MATERIAL silver
DIMENSIONS 58.3 x 55.5 mm
OEK 373
MAKER
WEIGHT 38.5 g
US LOT US3-0316
EAN 3000000024553
US LOT US3-0316
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
EAN 3000000024553
MATERIAL silver
DIMENSIONS 58.3 x 55.5 mm
OEK 373
MAKER
WEIGHT 38.5 g
PERIOD until 1918
COUNTRY Imperial Germany
US LOT US3-0316
MATERIAL silver
DIMENSIONS 58.3 x 55.5 mm
EAN 3000000024553
OEK 373
MAKER
WEIGHT 38.5 g
Imperial Germany
Royal Order of Merit of St. Michael Cross of Honour


Description

This Honor Cross is made from gilded silver and enamel. Absolute perfect condition with good gilding. The hollow constructed cross has a needle system on the reverse for wear. The needle shows the silver content mark “900” and the signet plaque of the maker Weiss in Munich is affixed to the reverse center. The cross is also marked “WC 950” at 4 o’clock on the rim of the cross.

A very rare and desirable decoration in fantastic condition. The Honor Cross was created as an addition to the order only in 1910 and was awarded only 224 times.

The variation made by Weiss & Co. is ultimately more rare then those form the competitor Jacob Leser.


Condition
1-

Seller
History Trader Inc., 521 Thorn Street #165, Sewickly, PA 15143-0165, USA
Historical information
Award period
1910 - 1918
OEK
373
Institution date
Instituted by

The House Order of St. Michael was founded by King Ludwig I. in three classes on January 18, 1837 based on the former House Order of St. Michael, ceasing its existence at the same time.

The new order could be awarded to Bavarians and foreigners alike no matter of religious belief or social standing. The order's motto was:”PRINCIPI FIDELIS FAVERE PATRIAE” (Be true to the Prince and meritorious to the fatherland).

The Bavarian membership of the order was limited to 24 grand crosses, 40 Commander and 300 knight crosses; there was no limit for foreigners. The limit was raised on August 25, 1846 to 36 grand crosses, 60 Commander and 320 knight crosses.

The order went through several changes during its existence. Grand crosses would wear the star on their right chest from 1844 on, yet the sash from the left shoulder to the right side of the body. In 1855 the Grand Commander Class was added, the knight cross was split in a knight cross 1st and 2nd class. Merit Cross and Merit Medal were added to the order in 1887 while redesigning the order and making it a true four class order (First, Second, Third and Fourth Class). A bronze merit medal was added in 1894. The honor cross was added in between knight 1st class and commander cross in 1910, as well as a 4th class without crown and the merit cross with crown.

The cross was a gold framed blue enameled patty cross showing the letters PFFP (PRINCIPI FIDELIS FAVERE PATRIA) on its arms. Around the medallion a wreath of golden lightning bolts is placed within and on the cross arms. The avers medallion consists of a golden oval plate showing the golden patron Michael in knight armor standing over the dragon upholding lightning bolts. He holds in his left hand a shield with the blue enameled inscription:”QUIS UT DEUS” (Who is like god). The reverse is of identical design, yet the plain round golden center medallion shows the inscription:”VIRTUTI”. The Cross is suspended from a golden Bavarian crown. The star is an eight pointed one with a patty cross in gold showing the silver letters PFFP in its arms. The blue enameled center shows the gold inscription:”QUIS UT DEUS” and is framed by a diamond cut silver frame just like the cross arms.

The design for decorations after 1887 does not show the letters and lightning bolts for the classes 2 to 4. Only the 1st class retained the original design.

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