Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, II Class Cross with Crown

(Militärverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Krone). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1913-1918 issue). Constructed of silvered copper with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion, overlaid by a raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing a raised institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an arabesque suspension and hollow crown culminating in a ring retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 42.30 mm (w) x 64.32 mm (h), weighing 19.9 grams, in extremely fine condition.