Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence), Type IV, II Class, Grand Officer
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.MNE.0101.403.01.000
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(Orden Danila I za zasluge za nezavisnost). Instituted in 1853. Type II. (1861-1918 Issue). A II Class badge in gilded silver, consisting of a blue enamelled cross with red and white borders, the obverse centre presenting a Gold crowned royal cipher of Danilo I with the Cyrillic surround Danilo I, Prince of Montenegro, also in Gold, with a white enameled border and small die stamped silver rays, centre reverse with institution date of 1852-53 in Gold on red enamelled background, circumscribed by For independence of Montenegro in Cyrillic script also in Gold, cross is adorned by a Gold crown with characteristic elongated tassels, maker marked on integral and suspension ring VM for Vincent Mayer, measuring 49.63 mm (w) x 72.98 mm (h - inclusive of crown and horizontally pierced ball suspension adorned by cross), weighing 43.3 grams, with minimal enamel contact, and extremely fine.
The order for merit for the independence of Montenegro was established by Prince Danilo I on 23rd April (5th May) 1853, as a token of appreciation, bravery and merits to all who contributed to the defense and independence of Montenegro. The victory over Turks in 1853, the independence and the inauguration of Danilo I as Prince of Montenegro, were the reasons for establishing this order.
1853 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - I model
Silver cross
1853 -1861 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - II model
Silver enameled cross with red enameled medallion
1861 -1873 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - III model
I Class – Grand Cross (Star - 85 mm, Badge and Sash)
II Class Commander
III Class - Silver enameled cross with red enameled medallion
1873 – 1893 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) – IV model
I Class – Grand Cross (Star - 85 mm, Badge - and Sash – 100 mm)
II Class – Grand Officer (Star - 75 mm, Badge)
III Class - Commander
IV Class - Silver enameled cross with red enameled medallion
1893 – 1918 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) – V model
I Class – Grand Cross (Star - 85 mm, Badge and Sash)
II Class – Grand Officer (Star - 75 mm, Badge)
III Class – Commander
IV Class – Officer
V Class - Silver enameled cross with red enameled medallion
1853 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - I model
The order of Danilo I of 1853 had only one class.
It was originally awarded for deed of bravery on the field of battle during the war against the Turks in 1852-53.
It had the form of Rupert’s cross with a longer bottom arm. The edges are smooth, the surface of the arms have a net pattern.
Dimension: 36 x 46 mm
Obverse: In the center of field (medallion) text in four lines: “Danilo I Prince of Montenegro” -“ДАНІИЛЪ I. / КНЯЗЪ / ЦРНОГОРС / КІИ”.
Reverse: In the center of field (medallion) text in four lines: “For the Independence of Montenegro 1852 - 53” - “ЗА НЕЗ- /АВИСИМОСТЪ / ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ / 1852-53“.
Extremely rare
1853 -1861 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - II model
In the year of its establishment, 1853, the Order of Danilo I went through its first visual change. The form of cross remained the same, but the arm became enameled with black enamel and the medallion with red enamel. The cross was made of silver, the central medallion was made of gold.
Dimension: 36 x 46 mm
Obverse: In the center of field (medallion) text: “Danilo I Prince of Montenegro” -“ ДАНІИЛЪ I. КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
Reverse: In the center of field (medallion) the dates: “1852-53”, around dates text: “For the Independence of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
1861 -1873 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) - III model
After the reorganization of the Order of Danilo I on 23rd April 1961 the order was divided in three classes, by adding two new classes: Grand Cross (I class) and Commander (II class).
All three classes could have been awarded for military and civilian merit.
Grand Cross consisted of Star, Sash and Badge. Commander consisted of a Badge worn at the neck.
Grand Cross and Commander had the form of Rupert’s cross, the arms in blue enamel rimmed with thin red and white enamel; above the cross is a golden Princes crown. The middle part (medallion) of the cross and the crown are in some specimens made of gold, but mostly of gold-plated silver. A silver eight-point star was given along with Grand Cross. The star is plain, convex and silver gilt, with screw – type fastening. Grand Cross was worn on a 100 mm wide white sash with one 12 mm wide crimson stripe along each side. Commander was worm on a 60 mm wide ribbon. Order of III class is the same as model II. It had the form of Rupert’s cross with a longer bottom arm whit black enamel arm and red enamel medallion.
Obverse Grand Cross and Commander: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
Obverse Star: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
Reverse Grand Cross and Commander: In the center of field (medallion) the dates: “1852-53”, around dates text: “For the Independence of Montenegro”- “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
Obverse III class: In the center of field (medallion) text: “Danilo I Prince of Montenegro” -“ ДАНІИЛЪ I. КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
1873 – 1893 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) – IV model
After the reorganization of the Order of Danilo I in 1873, another grade was introduced, which, in relation to the ranking came to the second position. The new class II – Grand officer consisted of the badge (order insignia) and a star of smaller dimensions than the star of Grand cross. Other grades (Commander and III class) were shifted by one position lower and became III class and IV class.
Obverse Grand Cross, Grand Officer and Commander: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
Obverse Star: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
Reverse Grand Cross, Grand Officer and Commander: In the center of field (medallion) the dates: “1852-53”, around dates text: “For the Independence of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ“.
Obverse IV class: In the center of field (medallion) text: “Danilo I Prince of Montenegro” - “ ДАНІИЛЪ I. КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
1893 – 1918 - Order of Danilo I (Merit for the Independence) – V model
After the last reorganization, carried out on St. Georgs day in 1893, a IV class - Officer was introduced, identical to higher grades though of smaller dimensions. The existing IV class became V class.
Obverse - Badge: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
Obverse - Star: In the center of field (medallion) crowned monogram “D I” - “Д I”; around monogram text: “Prince of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
Reverse: In the center of field (medallion) the dates: “1852-53”, around dates text: “For the Independence of Montenegro” - “ЗА НЕЗАВИСИМОСТЪ ЦРНЕ ГОРЕ “.
Obverse V class: In the center of field (medallion) text: “Danilo I Prince of Montenegro” -“ ДАНІИЛЪ I. КНЯЗЪ ЦРНОГОРСКІИ”.
Mints and manufactures
Order of Danilo I was made in many European mints:
Cravanzola, Roma
Fratelli Borani, Rome
Vincent Mayer (V. Mayer’s Sӧhne) Vienna
C.F.Rothe (Rothe & Neffe), Vienna
Chobillon, Paris
Arthus Bertrans, Paris
Silberberg, Hamburg
Gebruder Resch, Vienna
G.A. Sheid, Vienna
Souval, Vienna
Silberberg, Hamburg
Russian production
As a consequence of the great number of manufacturers and reorganizations of the order, differences appeared in detail and color of enamel. The most obvious differences can be seen in the cross center (medallion), which in some models is entirely enameled, while in others there are gold applications on enameled background.
King Nicholas I and his successors continued to confer the Order of Danilo I, even when he was in emigration after 1918.
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