Germany, Federal Republic. An Order of Merit, I Class Officer with Case, Ladies Issue, by Steinhauer & Luck

(Verdienstkreuz, I Klasse). Instituted 7 September 1951. A Leopold cross paty constructed of gilt bronze, the obverse centre bears a black enamel eagle with outstretched wings, the arms are red enamel with smooth gilt bronze edges, the reverse is plain and bears a vertical pinback with closed ball catch, measuring 47.37 mm, weighing 16.2 g; accompanied by a corresponding Lapel Ribbon of the same enameled cross paty on a red, white and black striped bow, with a horizontal pinback, measuring 36.44 mm (w) x 13.27 mm (h); a navy blue case, the exterior lid is embossed with a gilt eagle with outstretched wings, the exerior bottom is inscribed with gilt maker “STEINHAUER & LÜCK Lüdenscheid”, flip latch, the interior lid is white fabric and the medal bed is blue felt with space for the medal and lapel ribbon to lay, all very fine.