Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Order, Officer’s Cross with Flames and Swords, c.1915

1905-1918 issue. (Bayrischer Militärverdienstorden, Offizierkreuz mit Flammen mit Schwertern). A silver gilt Maltese cross with four blue enameled arms, 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”); with a hollow crown soldered atop the upper arm of the cross and with crossed swords affixed between the cross and the crown; the reverse with a vertical pinback and a functional hinge/catch assembly; marked “900” for silver content on the reverse; measuring 48.88 mm (w) x 76.86 mm (h); weighing 45.6 grams; with slight loss of gilt from age and wear, and with very faint contact marks on the enamels, but completely free of chips or cracks; in overall near extremely 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.