This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
1866-1905 Issue. Militärverdienstorden Kreuz Ritterkreuz 2. Klasse) An early cross in silver gilt Maltese cross with four arms in blue enamels; 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 and a loop from its period original peace-time ribbon; an unmarked example; measuring 40.28 mm (w) x 47.90 mm (h); weighing 17.0 grams with its ribbon; the enamels without chips or cracks of any kind; in overall virtually mint condition. Footnote: With a total of 1608 of this Order of Military Merit Knight’s Cross Second Class awarded.
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.

