Physical Description

A circular medal constructed of silver, the obverse bears the bust of King Maximilian Joseph I, encompassed by the inscription "MAXIMILIAN IOSEPH KÖNIG VON BAIERN", the reverse bears the inscription "DEM VERDIENSTE UM FÜRST UND VATERLAND" (for merit to duke and fatherland) encompassed by a wreath of oak and laurel, with loop for suspension, on a white and light blue striped ribbon.

History

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.

The Gold and Silver Medals for Civil Merit were added as the IV class of the Order. They were conferred upon persons in office who rendered themselves worthy of the Order, but did not possess the necessary rank to qualify for one of the higher grades.

The inscription may read "KOENIG" or "KÖNIG."

There are numerous models of this medal; some are stamped with, "LOSCH" or "LOSCH F.," others are not. This may result in price variation.