Order of Merit, Civil Division, IV Class Cross (1878-1896)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.WLD.0101.106.01.000

Estimated market value:

$400 USD

  • Order of Merit, Civil Division, IV Class Cross (in silver) Obverse

Estimated market value:

$400 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Germany
  • Composition
    Silver/Enamelled
  • Inscription
    Rev: FÜR VERDIENST
  • Size
    43x43mm
  • Version Remarks
    This version was officially awarded as the Merit Order 3rd Class. 181 were awarded.
  • Image Licensing
    The image of the Order of Merit, Civil Division, IV Class Cross (in silver) is attributed to Andreas Thies, Catalog 62, July 15, 2017. Please see the following page for more information: https://www.andreas-thies.de/onTEAM/grafik/A62_065_096.pdf

Physical Description and Item Details


A George’s cross with Maltese cross-style arms, constructed of silver and enamel. The cross arms are pebbled with raised and smooth edges. The obverse features the eight-sided coat of arms star of Waldeck in black enamel with narrow golden edges. It features a medallion in white enamel with a red enamelled cross moline with golden edges for Pyrmont. The medallion ring is golden and smooth. The reverse features a finely pebbled centre medallion with the inscription ‘FÜR VERDIENST’ (‘for merit’). On a loop for suspension, on a yellow ribbon with an inner red and outer black side stripe on each side. 20 grams.

History


The Order of Merit was originally founded as a medal by Prince Georg Friedrich of Waldeck and Pyrmont in 1857, but in 1871, it was upgraded to an order by Prince Georg Viktor. The Order of Merit was conferred upon citizens of Waldeck who rendered exceptional service to the princely house and contributed to the welfare of the state.

The order was established in two classes, I Class and II Class. The II Class Medal was the Medal of Merit that had been established in 1857. The II Class was awarded in this form until 1891 when it was reintroduced in a cross design. Recipients of the medal were able to exchange their decoration for the newly designed cross version.

In 1878, the II Class Cross and Silver Merit Medal were added to the order. In 1896, the names of the order’s decorations were changed from “Verdienstorden” ('Order of Merit', ex: Verdienstorden 1. Klasse) to “Verdienstkreuz” ('Cross of Merit', ex: Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse). At the same time, the IV Class Cross was added to the order.

In 1899, the Silver Merit Cross and Golden Merit Medal were introduced. The Gold Merit Medal was produced in a similar design to the original 1857 Merit Medal.

In 1912, the Officer’s Cross was established as the order’s V Class.

As of 1915, swords could be added to all classes to denote military merit. As of 1918, an individual had to have previously received the Iron Cross in order to receive a decoration with swords.

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