Baden. An Order of the Zähringer Lion in Gold, 1st Class Grand Cross, c.1900

1815-1918 Issue. An extremely fine quality manufacture circa 1900, 1815-1918 issue Order of the Zähringer Lion Grand Cross (Orden vom Zähringer Löwen Großkreuz); a solid gold (tested 18k gold) four armed star with arabesques between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a green glass cross pattée, with a center enameled medallion depicting the ruins of the “Stammschloss Zähringen”, surrounded by a knurled golden ring; the reverse with a center red enameled medallion bearing a golden rampant lion; with a golden double-looped ring for suspension; an unmarked example; measuring 59.87 mm (w) x 59.53 mm (h); weighing 49.1 grams. Accompanied by a mint and unissued slightly later, but original ribbon; with light wear to the gold for age, but the glass nearly untouched; in overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: A total of 763 of this Order of the Zähringer Lion Grand Cross were awarded between1815 and 1918.