Prussia, Kingdom. A Rare Variant Of A Prussian Ladies Merit Cross, Silver Grade, C.1900

(Frauenverdienstkreuz). Type One with German State Crown. Instituted on 25 April 1892 by King and Emperor Wilhelm II. (Issued 1893-1907). A round medal constructed of silver features a Cross flory at the centre, the arms are cross-hatched and separated at the centre by a diagonal crosshairs, between the cross’s arms are stylized flowers, circumscribed by a wide ring with the blue-enamelled inscription “FÜR VERDIENSTE” (“FOR MERIT”), with blue-enamelled laurel branches to the left and right, a decorated and blue-enamelled cipher “AV” for the Empress is attached to the medal by two rivets, a border representing a pearl necklace surrounds the medallion, above is an attached German State Crown, the reverse presents a horizontal pin, above the pin is a stirrup construction which serves to hold the ribbon decoration above the crown, the white ribbon connects to the medal by a flat loop with a small eyelet, measuring 38.21 mm (w) x 57.63 mm (h - inclusive of crown), presents a small hole in the obverse of the crown, and in otherwise extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The use of the German State Crown, which reflected the new German Empire, shows the rarity of this medal since there are only published examples of the 1st Type with the Empress Crown and the Prussian Crown. The Silver Ladies Merit Cross 1st Type was awarded 284 times (only 27 times with the Empress Crown). It is unknown how many times it was awarded with the German State Crown.