Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order Of Military Merit, War Merit Cross First Class, With Crown, C. 1915

(Militärverdienstkreuz des Bayerischen Militärverdienstorden I. mit Klasse, Krone). Issued 1913-1918. A Maltese cross in gilded silver; the obverse with a central medallion bearing the crowned cipher of King Ludwig II within a border in the form of a buckled belt inscribed with lettering reading “Merenti” (Latin - “Merit”); the reverse with a central medallion bearing a crowned Bavarian lion within a border in the form of a buckled belt with numbers reading “1866”; suspended from a structure composed of arabesques with a swivel crown suspension; accompanied by its period original ribbon; measuring 42.42 mm (w) x 66.33 mm (h - including its crown suspension); measuring 25.5 grams; in overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: With a total of 32 of this Order of Military Merit, War Merit Cross First Class, with Crown awarded between 1913 and 1915, with non awarded between 1916 and 1918.