Silver-gilt Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, with laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the crowned cipher of Adolph of Nassau within a ring inscribed ‘VIRTUTE’ (Merit) and decorated with laurel leaves; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the dates ‘1292’ and ‘1858’; on probably replaced correct ribbon mounted for wear in the Luxembourgeois style. The Order was originally established by Duke Adolph of Nassau on 8 May 1858. Abolished when Nassau was subsumed into the German Empire in 1866, it was reinstated as a Grand Ducal order in 1890 and recognises meritorious actions or heroic deeds in the name of Luxembourg. The date 1292 refers to the year in which Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg (1255 to 1298) became king of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor. A good early example.
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