German Awards - Order of the Vendian Crown Silver Cross of Merit

The Silver Cross of Merit is the lowest degree of the Order of the Vendian Crown and thus an entry into the order. The crosses of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, due to the size of the grand duchy, are much less common than those from Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
This order was created jointly by the Grand Dukes Friedrich Franz II. established in Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Friedrich Wilhelm in Mecklenburg-Strelitz on May 12, 1864. It consisted of 4 classes: a large cross, a large komtur, a komtur and a knight. The number of awards was limited for both grand duchies. A merit cross in gold and silver was attached. Crosses were awarded with 2 different decisions. 1. Mecklenburg-Schwerin: "Per Aspera ad Astra" (Through density to light) and 2. Mecklenburg-Strelitz: "Avito viret Honore" (It blooms in generic honor). The medallion behind, respectively, with different letters - F F -, for Friedrich Franz Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, or - F W -, for Friedrich Wilhelm Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The makers of the crosses were Godet & Sohn in Berlin and Lasne in Paris. In total, Gaudet produced 47 silver merit crosses. Lasne made silver merit crosses between 1875 and 1899 24. A total of 71 silver crosses were made. Источник: Peter Ohm-Hieronymussen, Die Mecklenburg-Strelitzer Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 2000.

An eight-pointed cross made of silver with raised, polished edges. The inner sides of the cruciform sleeves are fine-grained. Front and rear with a separate round central screen. Between the cross arms, respectively, the Mecklenburg griffin, 2 up and 2 down. Between the upper cruciform peaks there is an ornamented agraff, to which a silver 5-tuberous crown is attached. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• A round silver medallion with a wide ring, inside and out with a raised border.
• On this, on grainy soil, the sublime slogan of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz house:
• - AVITO - VIRET - HONORE - (Blooms in generic honor) at the bottom of the 6-petal flower.
In
• a locked, grainy midfield, a raised Venzen crown.

Downside:

• Round silver central shield with a granular bottom and raised keeled edge.
In the
• center are intertwined letters - F - (mirror) and - W -.
• For Friedrich Wilhelm, Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Tape:

• Width 28 mm, side stripes yellow/light blue 2.5 mm each, medium stripes crimson 18 mm.

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Obverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Silver Cross of Merit

Reverse: Order of the Vendian Crown Silver Cross of Merit

Established:

May 12, 1864 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II. and Friedrich Wilhelm

Awarded:

1864 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Silver
• Size: 62mm x 44mm, 22mm x 16mm crown
• Weight: 20g

estimated collector price:

1100 – 1300 €

OEK Number:

1389