Awards of Germany - Order of the Vendian Crown Komturkreuz

The Order of the Vendian Crown was established by the Grand Dukes Friedrich Franz II for Mecklenburg Schwerin and Friedrich Wilhelm for Mecklenburg Strelitz on May 12, 1864. The classes were: a large cross with a crown in ore or gold, a large komtur, a komtur and a knight. The order was accompanied by a gold and silver cross for merit. For military merits, classes could also be awarded with swords crossed through the center. Orders with 2 different slogans were awarded. 1. Mecklenburg-Schwerin: Per Aspera ad Astra (On Uneven Paths to the Stars) and 2. Mecklenburg-Strelitz: Avito viret Honore (He turns green in generic honour). The reverse side with a different code of letters -FF or -FW-. Awards were also limited and tied to specific positions. Schwerin received 6 large crosses, 18 large comtours, 24 comtours and 48 knights. For the Grand Duchy of Strelitsky, only 1/3 of the number of awards was prescribed. The Grand Komtur received a pectoral star in addition to the order cross. The statutes provided that only members of one Christian denomination could be awarded the order. The order also cannot be requested. Gifts were due only to the ruling rulers. In case of promotion or death, the insignia was subject to return. Gold and silver gilt crosses were made. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The cruciform arms have a golden border. The inner sides of the crosses are enameled in white. Front and back round, gold central shield. Between the cross sleeves, respectively, up (2) and down (2), a gold, Mecklenburg griffin turns. Between the upper cruciform peaks there is a winding agraf, to which a golden crown is movably connected by means of an internal hinge. An elongated double ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• A round gold central shield with a wide red enamelled font, it bears the gold font of a heavy house:
• - PER - ASPERA - AD - ASTRA -
In
• a closed, enameled blue field, a golden Vendian crown.

Downside:

• • Round central shield with gold, shaded border.
  In
  • a closed blue enameled field, rough letters facing each other - FF -.

Tape:

• • Collar 55 mm wide, side stripes red/yellow 4 mm each, central stripes light blue 37 mm.

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Obverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Comtur Cross

Reverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Comtur Cross

Established:

May 12, 1864 by the Grand Dukes Frederick II (Schwerin) and Friedrich Wilhelm (Strelitz)

Awarded:

1864 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, enamel
• Size: 87mm x 61mm, crown 24mm x 33mm
• Weight: about 54g

estimated collector price:

3500 - 3700 € in gold
2300 - 2400 € silver-gilded

OEK Number:

1284