Military Merit Cross, 1870-1871 (in gunmetal gilt)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 02.HSD.0105.101.01.000

Estimated market value:

$400 USD

Estimated market value:

$400 USD

Attributes

Country

Germany
Composition

Gunmetal gilt
Inscription

Obv: L GOTT EHRE VATERLAND Rev: DEN 12. SEPTEMBER 1870
Size

38.5x38.5mm
Image Licensing

The image of the Military Merit Cross, 1870-1871 (in gunmetal gilt) is a scanned image from the book "Handbuch der Ritter- und Verdienstorden aller Kulturstaaten der Welt" edited by Maximillian Gritzner. The book was published in 1893. It is in the public domain in countries where the copyright is the author's life plus 70 years.

Physical Description and Item Details

A smooth George cross with a raised border, with a laurel wreath between the cross arms, constructed of cannon bronze gilt. The obverse features a crowned monogram ‘L’ in the centre, with the inscription ‘GOTT’ (12 o’clock) ‘EHRE’ (9 o’clock) ‘VATER-’ (3 o’clock) ‘LAND’ (6 o’clock) on the arms (God Honour Fatherland). The reverse is similar, except the inscription reads ‘DEN’ (12 o’clock) ‘12. SEP-’ (9 o’clock) ‘TEMBER’ (3 o’clock) ‘1870’ (6 o’clock) on the arms (September 12th, 1870). On a loop for suspension, on a light blue ribbon with broad red side stripes.
A variant with a pebbled bronze gilt cross and a loop turned by 90 degrees is known to exist. These crosses were privately manufactured.

History

The Military Merit Cross, 1870-1871 was founded by Grand Duke Ludwig III and was conferred upon military personnel who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and cunning in the face of the enemy.

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