Bavaria. A 1905-1918 Order of Military Merit Cross Fourth Class with Swords

"An extremely well preserved example of a 1905-1918 issue Bavarian Order of Military Merit Cross Fourth Class with Swords (Bayerische Militärverdienstorden Kreuz IV Klasse mit Schwertern); silver gilt Maltese cross with blue and white enamels; the obverse with a gold central black enameled medallion bearing a gold crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gold letters reading “Merenti” (Latin - “Merit”); the reverse with a central gold medallion bearing a golden crowned Bavarian lion within gold border in the form of a buckled belt with golden numbers reading “1866”; with the swords attached to the cross directly above the upper arm; with a horizontally pierced ball and its period original ribbon; marked “950” for silver content and marked “W” on the base for Wagner manufacture; measuring 40.03 mm x 47.39 mm; weighing 28.0 grams; the enamels extremely well preserved, without chips or cracks of any kind; in near mint condition. "

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.