German Awards - Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 2nd Class Cross

The princely honorary cross of Schwarzburg was originally established on May 20, 1853 by Prince Friedrich Gunther von Schwarzburg Rudolstadt as a reward for services to his principality. On June 9, 1857, this order was transferred by the two princes of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen with the corresponding statutes to the general order or house order. The order initially consisted of 3 classes, and in 1873 was expanded to the 4th class. This order is also accompanied by gold and silver medals for merit.
The 1st and 2nd classes of the order are made of gold or gilded silver and have white enameled cross arms.
3rd and 4th grades are made of silver, and 3rd grade has gilded and enameled middle marks.
Crosses for Rudolstadt depicted double, mirror letters - FG - for Friedrich Gunther, and for Sondershausen - GFC - for Gunther Friedrich Karl on the back.
For merits in the war, he was awarded swords. Other expansions included jubilee numbers 50 and 60, and an oak fracture (foliage) with a corresponding wartime imprint. In 1901, a crown (princely hat) was donated for the 1st class. 2nd class was awarded very sparingly. The manufacturers were first Gode, Berlin, until 1900 Hugo Boer, Sondershausen and Wilhelm Freibote from Sondershausen.

An eight-pointed cross made of gold with polished edges. Enameled crosses are white. Front and back sides with false oval medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder between the tips there is an ornamented segment with a tuberous ear, through which a ribbon ring passes.

Front side:

In the
• center is a high oval gold medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In
• a closed dark blue enameled field, a Schwarzburg lion walking to the left.
with
• princely crown on the head.

Downside:

In the
• center is a high oval gold medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In
• the enclosed dark blue enameled field, the laced initials are G - F - C -
• (Prince Gunther Friedrich Karl) above him the princely crown.

Tape:

.

Obverse: Princely Black Cross of Honour - 2nd Class Cross

Reverse: Princely Black Cross of Honour - 2nd Class Cross

Established:

May 28, 1857 (Sondershausen) together with the princes Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

Awarded:

1857 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, enamel
• Size: 48mm x 42mm
• Weight: 18g

estimated collector price:

1200 – 1400 €

OEK Number:

2781