Bavaria. An Order of Military Merit in Gold, Third Class with Crown and Swords, by Jacob Leser

1914-1918 Issue. (Militärverdienstorden Kreuz 3. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern); Of the highest quality, with a gold Maltese cross with four arms in blue enamels, and with flames between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gold crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gold letters reading “Merenti” (Latin - “Merit”); the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gold crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gold numbers reading “1866”; suspended from a structure composed of arabesques, Gold swivel crown, and a loop from its period original peace-time ribbon; marked “750” for 18k gold content and maker marked “J.L.” for “Jacob Leser, Straubing”; measuring 40.78 mm (w) x 64.38 mm (h - inclusive of crown); weighing 20.6 grams; the enamels without chips or cracks of any kind; in overall mint condition. A better example cannot be found.

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.