Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown, Knight's Cross (in silver gilt)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.BAV.0106.106.01.001
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A silver gilt eight-armed Maltese cross with white and red enamels, as well as a green enamelled laurel wreath between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a centre silver gilt medallion depicting a rightward facing bust of King Max I. Joseph, surrounded by a ring of red enamels, inscribed “Max. Jos. Bojoariae Rex” in gilt lettering; the reverse with a centre medallion of white and light blue checkered enamels depicting a gilt Bavarian crown, surrounded by a ring of red enamels, inscribed “VIRTUS ET HONOS” (Virtue and Honour); suspended from a swivel crown suspension, with a horizontally pierced ball and loop, measuring 39x60mm; weighing 23.1 grams; marked 900 on ring.
The Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown was instituted on March 19, 1808 by King Maximilian Joseph I. The order was founded as a civil counterpart to the Military Order of Max Joseph to reward civil servants of the state and foreigners who displayed acts of exceptional merit. Similar to the Military Order of Max Joseph, individuals who received the Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown received a knighthood and were thus permitted to add the title of “Ritter von” to their family name, and those who were not already members of the nobility were ennobled.
The Order of Merit of the Bavarian crown was initially founded with three grades: Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight (as well as the two medal classes). Each grade possessed a limited number of members: 12 Grand Cross members, 24 Commanders, and 100 Knights, but with unlimited gold and silver medal recipients.
In October 1817, the statues permitted 24 Grand Cross members, 40 Commanders, and 160 Knights. Further adjustments to the statutes were also made on February 16, 1824, on October 12, 1834, and on January 12, 1835.
In 1855, the statutes were modified for the addition of the Commander class.
The order was awarded until 1918.
The motto of the order is “VIRTUS ET HONOS”, meaning “Virtue and Honour”.
The Merit Order of the Bavarian Crown is awarded in the following classes: Grand Cross and Grand Cross Breast Star, Commander and Commander Breast Star, Knight, gold medal, and silver medal.
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