Awards of Germany - Nassau Order of Military and Civil Merit - breast star to the Big Cross with swords

The Order of Adolf of Nassau (full name) was established by Duke Adolf I on May 8, 1858. The order was a tribute to King Adolf of Nassau. In 1292, he was elected Holy Roman Emperor of the German nation. The medallion on the back recalls these two dates, the coronation of 1292 and the founding of the order in 1858. The classes of the order were: Grand Cross, Komtur 1st and 2nd. Class, Knight and 4. Class (owner). Grand Cross and Comtour 1. The class was assigned in addition to the cross with a chest star. Komtur 2. The class was assigned without a breast star. Crosses of the first 3 classes carry a gold, openwork crown over the order cross. The knight's cross is gold, with enameled cross sleeves and a middle shield. 4th grade is a silver cross with enameled middle shields. In 1860, the order was expanded with the Silver Cross of Merit. All classes were awarded to military personnel with swords crossed through the center. A large cross with swords was awarded only 35 times. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Eight-pointed silver star. Between the eight main rays to the center of 5 intermediate rays. These on the left and right are framed by lines. The front side with a large, gold, enameled, round central shield. Crossed in the center on diagonal rays 2 antique swords with silver blades and gold, Roman paired poles. The back is silvery with a round covering plate in the middle. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Front side:

• Gold medallion with a wide dark blue enameled ring.
• This one is bounded on the outside and inside by a raised gold pearl edge.
• On the ring below is a gold font - ° - VIRTUTE - ° - (virtue).
• On the upper part of the written ring on the left and right, one laurel branch.
• It consists of 4 groups of leaves of 3 leaves and 3 fruits between them.
• In the included white enameled midfield, the decorated letter - A - is enlarged.
• A silver ducal crown floated freely above it.

Downside:

• The stellar body is half naked. In the center is a large round lid.
• An oval shield rises on the lower part of the panel.
• On it, the manufacturer is K. M. WEISHAUPT -/- SONS -.