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Miniature gilt cross pattée, the panels of the arms outlined by three edge lines, with eyelet for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the grand-ducal crown of Hesse; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the Roman numerals ‘XV’ (= 15); diameter 16.53mm (0.65 inch); on a correct paper representation of the ribbon. The Cross was instituted by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig on 30 July 1913 to be awarded to acknowledge the completion of 15 years’ exemplary service by regular non-commissioned officers. An interesting footnote is that the Hesse Crown Jewels were stolen from Kronberg by members of the occupying American forces and sold in Switzerland in 1945. The small size of Hesse’s regular armed forces make this award quite hard to find, especially in miniature.
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