German Awards - Grand Cross of the Oldenburg House and Order of Merit (in silver)

The Grand Cross of the Oldenburg House and Order of Merit was established as the upper class on 27 November 1838. The first large crosses were made of gold with a gold crown. In the statutory supplement to paragraph 2 of January 17, 1841, the Grand Cross was divided into 2 tiers. Prior to this, the Grand Cross was called the Grand Cross with a golden crown. The cross shown here, all in silver, was called only the Grand Cross. The corresponding breast star was also made of silver. On January 17, 1863, an order chain was established for the Grand Cross with a gold crown. The award of the Grand Cross was tied to the first class of seniority. These included the Minister of State, Privy Councilor, Chief Hofmeister, Field Marshal, etc. The award for domestic was limited to 6. There were no restrictions for foreigners. After the abdication of the Grand Duke, he continued to lend to the order on private occasions.
The Order of Home and Merit was created in memory of the 25-year return of his father Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig from Russian exile. The order consisted of 4 classes for honorary cavaliers and 4 classes for captains: a large cross, a large comture, a comture and a small cross (from 1860 knightly crosses). Attached to the order is a common badge of honor in 3 classes: gold, silver and iron. In 1856, for merits in the war, this award was expanded with 2 swords passing through the center. With a higher talent in peacetime, they were added to the ring. To the Common Badge of Honor 1. The class was awarded a gold crown. In 1883, the General Badge of Honor was renamed the Cross of Honor. In 1903, the Officers' Cross was established between Komtur and Knight's Cross 1. The class stands. Knight's Crosses 2nd Class were split in 1906. Knight's Crosses 2. Class without crown. The last expansion was the Laurel Fund for sword crosses in 1918. In the event of death or promotion, orders were subject to return. The meaning of the dates on the cross sleeves: January 17, 1755 - the birthday of Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, July 6, 1785 - entry into the government, May 21, 1829 - the anniversary of the death of the duke, November 27, 1838 - the foundation of the order.
The Grand Cross (silver) was awarded 589 times.

The cross is silver with white enameled cross sleeves and silver edges. In the center, a round medallion with a border is worn on both sides. Angular ear above. Through it is a small smooth ring, to which a movable silver crown connects. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• A central shield with a silver border outside and inside from the ring.
• Red enameled ring with silver inscription:
• - ONE - GOD - ° - ONE - RIGHT - ° - ONE - TRUE - ° -.
• In the included blue enameled field, the letters - P - F - L - are intertwined
• Nickname Peter Friedrich Ludwig, under the silver crown.

Downside:

In
• silver bordered enameled central shield coat of arms of Oldenburg with ermine mantle and crown.
• On white enameled cruciform hands - silver dates.
• bottom: - November 27, 1838 -, right: - May 21, 1829 -, top: - January 17, 1755 -, left: - July 6, 1785
-

Tape:

Front: Oldenburg House and Order of Merit Grand Cross (in silver)

Reverse: Oldenburg House and Order of Merit Grand Cross (in silver)

Established:

November 27, 1838 by the Grand Duke Paul Friedrich Augustus
January 17, 1841 Division of the Big Crosses

Awarded:

1841 - until 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, enamel
• Size: 57mm x 94mm, crown 28mm x 35mm
• Weight: about 44g

estimated collector price:

1600 – 1800 €

OEK Number:

1493