Yankee

Dannebrog knight, what are the other three medals on the trifold ribbon? Danish?

Hi Mike Glade to have asked that question, very good info to have. Super job in explaining the ribbons to us , my Dannebrog knight is placed on a straight ribbon and always assumed it was to a foreigner. I'll send a scan later this evening on the Dannebrog thread not to go Sincerely Brian

Hi Mark Nice job to find one with an Austrian ribbon . I have never seen an Austrian style mounted ribbon on a Danish decoration. You might just have chance to trace down the recipient, can't imagine to many Austrians receivng the Silver Merit Cross. Perhaps Mike can get you a name. Hold that ribbon!!!!!! Sincerely Brian

Hi Kevin Too bad we can't put a name to the bar certainly served Prince Alexander in what exact capacity remains to be a mystery, certainly a man with a taste of adventure. The Rumanian medal was for faithful service 2nd class 1st type most likely for a State Visit as had been suggested

Mark the one pictured would have been identical to the one Nyholm was awarded. Early ones have a hinged crown. No problem always good to double check. Sincerely Brian

The knight will have enamel on the arms so you are correct. I have an early one with a rosette which would make officer class too. Sincerely Brian

Hi Mark In the Sword the knight is the officer class of the order. There is a silver meit cross and a sword medal which is fairly more rare.

Maybe the very early Golden Lion Knight's had a more circular center.

The case at one time belonged to Eric Ludvigsen and believed to have been for the Golden Lion or Wilhelm Order.

Wow that is really great info, must have one fantastic research library Thanks Dave Later came across the case to the Wilhelm Knight and to my surprise it is not a solid fit or even close . I closely examined the case to make sure it was for the Wilhelm order. The shape ( arms ) is correct, inner silk pad has the impression of the order and the Lion standing on two legs. Where the trouble is that every Wilhelm I have ever seen has always a oval center, the inside of the case is made for a circular center. Does any member have a foto of this variation to post or can explain. Sincerely Yankee

Certainly agree, all the good people would be horrified to learn that their donations can no longer be viewed by the public, in hindsight would have been better for the owners to leave their collections to family, big big mistake now. I for one always enjoyed visiting the ANS and view their amazing collection now no longer possible . Tons of auction houses in NYC, I feel collections large or small if formed in the States should be sold in the States. In the past had good experiences with MortonandEden ( quick to reply ) more then I can say for some of the other foreign auction houses.

Hi Mark Do not know when the swords came into play however the officer class was created in 1903. There is also swords above the cross as well . There is even a class with swords and a laurel wreath . You could ask a memeber from the German States forum I'm sure somebody can answer you correctly. Sincerely Brian

That is really great , I had it narrowed down to 3 cyphers. Mark yours could be the Czars own Does anybody know what happened to Czar Nickolas's bar?

Hi Mike It is an award document for an officer cross but there is no way of telling if this is the cross that accompanied the document. Mark request a scan of the reverse if you decide to bid on it. Sincerely Brian

Mike found it

Mike in Zeige's Table of Content where is lot 8 & 9 located? Best to request a scan of the reverse that will tell us a lot.

Thanks for that Mike, next one to come across will not think twice and jump on it. Now that I think about it have not seen all that many around. Interesting to note Czar Nicholas ll is always wearing a Dannebrog Knight. Sincerely Brian

Hi Dave That is a great surprise, amazed to see the award list from a newspaper I think and in such fine condition after all these years. Thanks ever so much for the time in locating his awards really great marvel to see. Ohhh gosh misread his Prussian award thanks for bringing that to my attention. Sincerely Brian

Hi Mark Your Silver Merit Cross looks great, looks to be on a Austrian style trifold ribbon. Send a larger scan if you can. Oldenburg you need to examine very carefully the pinbacks & stars are copied widely. Thanks Sincerely Brian

Hi guys Fascinating the Statutes on return for the Dannebrog go back to 1671. Your Silver Merit cross is well made, were they marked? Interesting to note in the knight class, that I have it is profusely hallmarked and earlier ones are not marked. Ahhh the prices can fluctuate greatly on the same item Mark. Our hobby ( orders & decorations ) is based on the euro that is on the European side of it. Euro is up 50% these past few years partially the reason for the steep dollar quotes. I Agree with Mike 550 dollars ( 380 Euro ) is a good price for a early Dannebrog Silver Merit Cross. I purchased my Danish a few years back so I don't know the current prices. You can find a Frederik Vlll but it will take some time. I know the Frederik Vlll knights can be found but I think the Silver Merit Cross are more rare. What is a pleasure in collecting the Danish Dannebrog order is that you need not worry about fakes unlike the Russian material. Be very careful in the Russian orders there making excellent copies even in the lower classes in gold. The prices I noticed recently are insane. In the Probus auction the knights from the late 19th- 20th century fetching 2000-3000 dollars. In the auction there was a ( first time for me to have seen one up for sale ) very early 1800-1810 Swedish Sword knight that went for 700 dollars go figure something so rare goes for so little and something so common to the roof. Oldenburg State is heavily copied in some classes, Griffin far as I know no problems. Legion of Honor 3rd Republic are common prices 400-1000 dollars depending if silver gilt or gold. Italian Crown commander gold 300 dollars & Swedish Vasa commander 700-1000 dollars. Hope it helps. Sincerely Brian

Hi Mike Interesting to learn that the Dannebrog Silver Merit Cross would be returned upon death to the State and the Royal Cypher would be swaped out. Was this done for economic reasons? The Merit Cross as I can see looks like it has not changed in almost 200 years. Is there any way to tell an early cross from a later strike if the cyphers have been changed? With the Order itself there are certain characteristics of the early types such as a concave shape and the crowns between the arms are wider. I have never seen a Frederik Vl or Christian Vlll cross with a later cypher I suppose that would be a highly sought after piece or is it just very few were ever issued back in the early 19th century. Hi Mark There is a dealer in denmark that specializes in Danish with good selection of higher classes, check out his site www.medals.dk Sincerely Brian