Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grand Duchy. A 1914 War Merit Cross, I Class

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz I. Klasse 1914). Instituted 28 February 1915 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV. (1915-1924 issue). Constructed of gilded bronze, consisting of a vaulted Cross Pattée, the obverse with ribbed and pebbled arms, bearing a central raised monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV, the six o’clock arm with a date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 41.09 mm (w) x 41.36 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, with minor tarnishing evident in addition to bending of the catch, in near extremely fine condition.