Awards of Germany - Order of Philip the Magnanimous Knight's Cross 1st class with crown and swords
The Order of Philip the Magnanimous was established on May 1, 1840 by the Grand Duke Ludwig II. in 4 classes. Grand Cross, 1st and 2nd Class Komtur, Knight. In 1849, the Silver Cross of the 4th class and swords was established. In 1859, the class of knights was divided into 1st and 2nd classes. Philip depicted the first form of the order as a whole figure. The second form of the order depicted the landgrave only in the form of a chest portrait. Individual classes were also awarded for military merit with swords through the center. However, extradition of them to civilians was possible. Another expansion was the award of a crown from 1881, and a crown and swords for all classes. The last expansion occurred in 1900 with the founding of the Cross of Honor, which takes place between the 2nd class commander and the 1st class knight. The Knight's Cross 1st Class was awarded without swords and with swords, without crown and with crown, and with crown and swords. Since 1893, swords were to be awarded only for outstanding services in the ongoing war to military and civilians. Sword and crown awards were very rare because they were awarded to an already existing class. Upon promotion to the next class, swords remained with the lower class. So, crosses of the 1st class with a crown or without a crown were worn along with the 2nd class with swords. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.
Golden cross with slightly figured cross ends. The cross arms are sheathed in gold and enameled in white. Front and back with superimposed round, gold and enameled central shield. 2 crossed golden swords pass through the center. On the upper cruciform shoulder parallel soldered ear. They hang a gold open crown. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.
Front side:
- Central shield with a wide white enameled writing ring. Inside and outside there is a golden border.
- It bears the gold inscription: - SI - DEUS - NOBISCUM - QUIS - CONTRA - NOS
- - If God is with us, who can be against us?
In - a sealed light blue enameled field, Philip's gold breast image peeking to the left.
Downside:
- A central shield with a wide white enameled ring, a golden border inside and out.
- It has a gold inscription: - LUDOVICUS - II - MAGN.- DUX - Hassiae - Institut.-
In - a closed light blue enameled field, an erect Hessian lion striding to the left.
- The lion is white enameled with red transverse stripes.
Tape:
- red 37 mm wide, side stripes light blue 3 mm.
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Obverse: Order of Philip the Magnanimous Knight's Cross 1st Class with Crown and Swords
Reverse: Order of Philip the Magnanimous Knight's Cross 1st Class with Crown and Swords
Established:
May 1, 1840, Grand Duke Ludwig II.
1881 Founding of the crown by Grand Duke Ludwig IV.
Data:
- Material: gold, enamel
- Size: 40mm, 20mm crown, 39 x 2mm swords
- Weight: approx. 18.3g
estimated collector price:
2000 – 2100 €
Awards of World War II