Germany, Federal Republic. An Order of Merit, I Class Officer with Case

(Verdienstkreuz, I Klasse). Instituted 7 September 1951. A Leopold cross paty constructed of gilt bronze, the obverse centre bears a black enamel eagle with outstretched wings, the arms are red enamel with smooth gilt bronze edges, the reverse is plain and bears a vertical tapering pin with a flat wire catch, measuring 53.62 mm, weighing 21.3 g; accompanied by a corresponding lapel pin of the same enameled cross paty on a red, white and black striped ribbon bar, the reverse is plain and has a straight pin and butterfly clutch, measuring 10.05 mm (w) x 9.04 mm (h); a navy blue case, the exterior lid is embossed with a gilt eagle with outstretched wings, the exerior bottom is inscribed with gilt maker “STEINHAUER & LÜCK Lüdenscheid”, push button latch, the interior lid is white fabric and the medal bed is blue felt with space for the medal and lapel pin to lay, measuring 97.66 mm (w) x 120.30 mm (h), all very fine.