Awards Germany - Order of Frederick Breast Star to the Grand Cross

The Grand Cross is the highest class of the Order of Frederick and from the very beginning was awarded a breast star.
The Order of Merit was awarded for excellent military and civilian services to the king, the ruling house and the state. The order was established in memory of Father Frederick I. The slogan was called "God and my right." The first breast stars of the order were made already around 1830, that is, after the founding of the Order of Frederick as a one-class order. The first pectoral stars have as the main sign a round radial wreath, as in the order cross, between the cruciform shoulders. There are 8 single rays between the cruciform shoulders. January 3, 1856 the order was divided into 4 classes. The order now consisted of the Grand Cross, Comture 1. Class (with breast star), Komtur 2. Class and knight. At the same time, the shape of the pectoral stars has also changed. Perhaps Komtur's added Grade 1 breast star was also the impetus behind it. The thoracic stars of the Grand Cross, as shown here, have had an 8-ray stellar body since 1856. Stars differ in the design of superimposed order crosses and radiation beams. Since 1856, F. Steinam, Stuttgart and Eduard Föhr, Stuttgart have been known as a manufacturer of thoracic stars. Since 1915, the Royal Württemberg Coin Office in Stuttgart has produced stars. On September 19, 1870, golden swords were awarded for military merits for all classes. The Knights were in 1st and 2nd. The class is divided. The statutes were changed in 1886. In 1892, William II. established the gold medal of the Order of Merit. On March 6, 1899, as a special reward, the Grand Cross was presented with a crown and a Grand Cross with a crown. The cross of the order and then the Grand Cross were awarded a total of 99 times.

Chest star with 8-beam, silver gilded body. Radiation beams consist of 5 separate beams, each of which has a lateral gradation. In the center is a silver order cross with a gold enameled medallion. The reverse is smooth, silvery with a round covering plate in the middle. It bears the manufacturer's label. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Front side:

• The cruciform arms have a small pearl rim. Subsequently, wide, winding bordering.
• The inner sides of the cruciform shoulders are roughly punctured.
• The gold, round middle medallion, with a narrow border, has a wide style.
• It is dark blue enameled with a translucent pile.
• It has a golden font in a break - God - and - my - right - ~ -.
• The enclosed field is golden and punctured. Enlarges the right-facing head portrait of King Frederick I.

Downside:

• Horizontally and vertically 2 rivets, with the help of which the cross of the order is attached.
• Manufacturer's marking on the central cover. Between 2 floral ornaments above and below 3-line, embossed font - F.STEINAM -/- HOFJUWELIER -/- STUTTGART -.

The photos were taken with the support of Nagel auction house, Stuttgart .

Obverse: Order of Frederick breast star to Grand Cross

Reverse: Order of Frederick breast star to the Grand Cross

Established:

January 1, 1830 by King William I.

Awarded:

1856 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, gold plated, enamel
• Size: 85mm
• Weight: 50g

estimated collector price:

4000 - 4200 € silver/gold
3300 - 3600 € in silver/gold plated silver

OEK Number:

2971