Germany, Federal Republic. An Order of Merit of the Federal Republic, by Steinhauer & Lück

(Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) Instituted 7 September 1951. A Leopold cross paty constructed of gilt bronze and multi-coloured enamels, the obverse centre bearing a black enamel eagle, the arms are of red enamel with gilt borders, the reverse is the same as the obverse, with an arabesque detailing at the top, on a red, gold and black ribbon tied in a bow, the reverse bears a horizontal pinback, measuring 60.78 mm (w) x 71.60 mm (h), extremely fine.

A miniature constructed of gilt bronze and enamels, the obverse centre bearing a black enamel eagle, the arms are of red enamel with gilt borders, centred on a red, gold and black ribbon tied in a bow, the reverse bears a pinback, measuring 36.01 mm (w) x 13.45 mm (h), extremely fine.

A rectangular case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux blue leather exterior, the lid bearing a gold embossed Federal Republic-style German national eagle, within a gilt border, with a flip catch open, the interior with a white satin-type liner and intact hinge cover, bearing an identical gilt eagle, with a blue velvet medal bed, with recess for the pinback of the order and the miniature, the exterior with a maker’s mark of “STEINHAUER & LÜCK, LÜDENSCHEID”, measuring 160 mm (w) x 213 mm (l) x 30 mm (h), extremely fine.