Bavaria. An Order of Military Merit, Fourth Class with Crown and Swords, by Gebrüder Hemmerle

1905-1918 issue. (Militärverdienstorden Kreuz 4. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern); A silver Maltese cross with four arms in blue enamels, and flames between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver letters reading “Merenti” (Latin - “Merit”); the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver numbers reading “1866”; suspended from a structure composed of arabesques, swivel crown, and a loop from its period original peace-time ribbon; marked “950” on the reverse six o’clock arm of the cross, as well as maker marked “G.H.” for “Gebrüder Hemmerle, München”; measuring 40.48 mm (w) x 65.41 mm (h); weighing 31.3 grams with its ribbon; with two light contact marks on the reverse twelve o’clock arm, but otherwise without chips or cracks of any kind; in overall virtually mint 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.