Luxembourg, Duchy. A Merit Order of Adolph of Nassau in Gold, Knight, c. 1890
Item #EU15958
$601
Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d’Adolphe de Nassau. Instituted 1858. Type I. Civil Division. A Gold Maltese cross with white enamels, ball finials, obverse centre bears the letter ""A"" in Gothic script crowned by an imperial crown, with blue enamel surround depicting laurels and motto ""Virtute"", reverse centre applique presents the dates ""1292"" (the year that Adolf of Nassau-Weilburgwas crowned as King of the Romans) and ""1858"" (order institution date by Adolphe, Duke of Nassau), weighing 11.6 grams inclusive of its ribbon, measuring 31.2 mm (w) x 31.5 mm (h), intact enamels, original ribbon, extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau is an order of merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for meritorious service to the Grand Duke, the Grand-Ducal House and Luxembourg. It was founded in 1858 as a chivalric order of the Duchy of Nassau by Adolphe of Nassau in honour of his namesake and ancestor, Adolf, Count of Nassau, the only member of the House of Nassau to have been Roman King of Germany. After the Duchy of Nassau was annexed by Prussia in 1866 and Adolphe became Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1890, he revived the order as an order of merit. The order consists of eight grades, with two crosses and three medals attached to the order. The eight grades include: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander of the Crown, Commander (male)/Cross of Honour for Ladies (female), Officer of the Crown, Officer, Knight of the Crown, and Knight. Attached to the order are the following crosses and medals of merit: Crosses in Gold and Silver, along with Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze.