Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, IV Class with Swords, c.1915

(Bayerische Militärverdienstorden IV. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted on July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II. (Issued 1905-1918). A silver 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 crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gilt letters reading “MERENTI” (Latin - Merit), the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gilt crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border also in the form of a buckled belt, dated “1866”, suspended from arabesques with swords, on a horizontally pierced loop for suspension from a period original peacetime ribbon, marked “900” for silver content, measuring 40.88 mm (w) x 50.55 mm (h), weighing 26.4 grams, in overall better than very 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.