Awards of Germany - Order of the Vendian Crown Knight's Cross

This order was established jointly by the rulers in Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It consisted of 4 classes: a large cross, a large komtur, a komtur and a knight. The number of awards was limited. Thus, the Grand Cross could only be awarded 10 times, the Grand Komtur only 31 times, the Komtur only 65 times, and the Knight's Cross only 100 times. The order was supplemented by the Cross of Merit in Gold or Silver.
Crosses for Mecklenburg Strelitz bear the motto "AVITO VIRET HONORE" (It blooms in generic honor), crosses for Mecklenburg Schwerin have the motto "PER ASPERA AD ASTRA" (Through density to light). Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

An eight-pointed cross made of gold with raised, polished edges. The inner sides of the crosses are enameled in white. Front and rear with a round central shield. Between the cruciform arms, respectively, the Mecklenburg griffin turned up (2) and down (2). In the upper cruciform peaks there is an elegant element to which a golden crown is attached. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.
Crosses were awarded with 2 different decisions. 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). Back side with different letters -FF or -FW-. Crosses of gold and gilded silver were awarded.

Front side:

• A round gold central shield with a wide red enameled ring, on it is the golden 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:

• Width 35 mm, side stripes red/yellow 3 mm each, central stripes light blue 24 mm.

Obverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Knight's Cross

Reverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Knight's Cross

Established:

May 12, 1864 by the Grand Dukes Frederick II. and Friedrich Wilhelm

Awarded:

1864 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold or silver with gilding
• Size: approx 63mm x 45mm cross, 23mm x 17mm crown
• Weight: 21g gold, 28g gold-plated silver

estimated collector price:

2300 - 2500 € gold 1000 - 1200 € silver

OEK Number:

1286