Gilt-edged red enamel narrow-armed cross pattée with loop and ring for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central gilt medallion imposed bearing a black eagle, wings outstretched; the reverse plain with stippled ground; diameter 53.86mm (2.12 inches); on original ribbon mounted for wear; with button-hole bow; in original fitted embossed case of issue by C. E. Juncker of Berlin, an eagle, wings outstretched, in gilt on the lid of the box, both internally and externally, maker’s name to the base in gilt letters, two small scuffs to the lid, one lower left, one top right. The Order is the highest honour that the Federal Republic of Germany bestows and was instituted by President Theodor Heuss on 7 September 1951, second anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic, ‘with the desire to create a visible expression of recognition and thanks for meritorious men and women of the German people and from abroad for service in the fields of politics, socio-economics and intellectual work and for service in rebuilding the fatherland, and, as an award intended for all, for contributions to enhancing Germany’s reputation abroad’. (‘In dem Wunsche, verdienten Männern und Frauen des deutschen Volkes und des Auslandes Anerkennung und Dank sichtbar zum Ausdruck zu bringen, stifte ich am 2. Jahrestag der Bundesrepublik Deutschland den ,Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Er wird verliehen für Leistungen, die im Bereich der politischen, der wirtschaftlich-sozialen und der geistigen Arbeit dem Wiederaufbau des Vaterlandes dienten, und soll eine Auszeichnung all derer bedeuten, deren Wirken zum friedlichen Aufstieg der Bundesrepublik Deutschland beiträgt’). The Cross of Merit is the equivalent to ‘knight’ grade of the Order. A very good example.
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