Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Fourth Class with Swords, by Gebrüder Hemmerle, c.1914

(Bayerische Militärverdienstorden III. Klasse mit Schwertern). Issued 1905-1918. A silver gilt Maltese cross with blue enameled arms, and with flames between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gilt silver crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver gilt letters reading “MERENTI” (Latin - Merit); the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver gilt crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border also in the form of a buckled belt, dated “1866”; suspended from arabesques with swords - marked “GH” for “Gebrüder Hemmerle, München” and “900” for silver content; measuring 40.20 mm (w) x 49.27 mm (h); weighing 27.1 grams; in overall extremely fine 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.