Anhalt, Duchy. An Order of the Albert the Bear, II Class Knight’s Decoration

(Hausorden Albrecht des Bären, Ritterzeichen II. Klasse). Instituted 18 November 1836 by Henry, Duke of Anhalt-Köthen, Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau, and Alexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg. (1854-1918 issue). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold ribbon with a late-period safety pin attachment stitched onto the reverse, the obverse consisting of an oval ring bearing a raised inscription of “FUERCHTE GOTT UND BEFOLGE SEIN BEFEHLE” (“FEAR GOD AND OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS”), the reverse bearing an inscription of “ALBRECHT DER BAER REG: 1123 BIS 1170” (“ALBERT THE BEAR KING, 1120 TO 1170”), around a double-sided depiction of a crowned bear walking on top of a fortress wall, the bottom edge stamped with a silver content mark of “925”, measuring 32.07 mm (w) x 42.77 mm (h), weighing 18.2 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in extremely fine condition.