House Order of Hohenzollern, Type II, Civil Division, Grand Honour Cross

SKU: 01.HOZ.0101.202.01

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  • House Order of Hohenzollern, Type II, Civil Division, Grand Honour Cross (for heads of state) Obverse

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    December 5, 1841
  • remarks
    The German name of the award is ‘Fürstlicher Hausorden von Hohenzollern, Großehrenkreuz'.

Physical Description


An eight-sided star with a superimposed George’s cross, constructed of silver, gold, and enamels. The star is faceted. The cross features outwardly rounded arms and is white enamelled with a black outline inside the white field, and a narrow gold border. A green enamelled wreath with gold borders is featured in between the arms, made of laurel on the left and oak leaves on the right. The centre medallion is enamelled in white and features the black-and-white Hohenzollern coat of arms with a narrow gold border, above which is a gold crown with red lining. The medallion’s ring is enamelled in blue with a gold border and features the gold inscription ‘FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST’ (‘for loyalty and merit’) with two small decorative twigs in green and narrow gold borders at the bottom. The reverse is silver with a pinback.

History


The House Order of Hohenzollern was founded by Prince Konstantin of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Prince Karl Anton of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen on December 5, 1841, and was conferred upon individuals who rendered meritorious service to the princely house.

The order originally featured five grades, including three crosses and two medals.

In 1852, the two Hohenzollern principalities were annexed by Prussia. The Prussian government expanded the order and it continued to be awarded in Hohenzollern as a princely House Order.

The order underwent several expansions and was reorganised numerous times throughout its history.

In 1866, crossed swords were added to the grades that were conferred in recognition of military merit.

In 1891, the grade of Honour Commander Cross was added to the order.

In 1910, Gold and Silver Crosses of Merit were added as grades to the order.

This order continued to be awarded throughout the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich.

In 1935, King Carol II of Romania became a prince of the House of Hollerzollern and was given the right to confer the order in Romania.

The Grand Honour Cross for Royalty was reserved for members of the Hohenzollern House, as well as members of others royal houses. The Crosses for Royalty feature the obverse inscription “NIHIL SINE DEO”.

The princes of the Romanian Hohenzollern House were entitled at birth to receive the Grand Honour Cross at the age of 16.

The Grand Honour Cross for Heads of State was conferred upon statesmen and featured the obverse inscription “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST”.

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Versions

  • Price

    $5,000 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST

  • Size

    83mm

  • Maker

    R. Souval, Vienna

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item
  • Price

    $5,000 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: NIHIL SINE DEO

  • Size

    88mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    42 were awarded.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $5,000 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gold/Diamonds/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: NIHIL SINE DEO

  • Size

    60mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

  • View Item

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