Mecklenburg-Schwerin. A House Order Of The Wendish Crown, Commander Cross With Swords, C.1880

1864-1918 Issue. (Hausorden der Wendischen Krone, Komturkreuz mit Schwertern). A Maltese cross constructed of solid gold, with white enameled arms, with solid gold lions and crossed gold swords between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a central medallion of blue enamels, with a raised gold Wendish crown, surrounded by a ring of red enamels, inscribed “Per Aspera Ad Astra” (Latin - Through Struggle to the Light) in gold capital letters; the reverse with a central medallion of blue enamels, inscribed in gold with the royal monogram; suspended from a large golden hollow royal crown, with a double looped ring for suspension from its correct replacement ribbon; measuring 63.14 mm (w) x 63.03 mm (h); weighing 69.2 grams; in absolutely mint condition.

Footnote: Predominant historian and author of “Deutsche Orden Und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945” (German Orders and Decorations until 1945), Jörg Nimmergut, identifies this House Order of the Wendish Crown on page 662 of the series as a piece not specified in the statues of the order. He believes this to be a prototype that was never instituted, referring to “Teske, C., Die Wappen des Großherzöglichen Hauses Mecklenburg in ihrer geschichtlichen Entwicklung, Güstrow 1893” - Translated “The coat of arms of the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg in its historical development”.