Carol I

I don't think it's Dutch manufacture because the maker's marks of Moussault, Van Maarseveen or Bron are missing. It could be a Becht-piece however, but I'm not totally sure.

Thanks Erik for the reply. I liked the impression made by the enamel work on this piece.

Have a look about the Prussian Crown Order 4th class with swords.

Thanks Christophe for the images of the 4th class cross.

"The badge of the Order for the 1st to 4th classes was a gilt cross, similar in shape to the Iron Cross but with white enamel (except for the 4th Class, which was plain)."

So the third class would have enamel, but the fourth class would be a plain silver cross.

Thanks Jacky for the quote. I must have missed that on Wikipedia.

It was also used as a gallantry ribbon for the Order of the Star.

As well as for the Order of the Crown.

Is the information on Wikipedia regarding the different classes of this order accurate? What is the difference between the 3rd class and the 4th class badges since both of them are said to have been worn on a ribbon on the left side of the chest?

Thanks Dave for the quick reply.

In Romania, the ribbon of the Crucea Virtutea Militara was used for one or more other decorations.

Both the cross and the medal had the same ribbon. In fact the cross was (and still is) the war version of the medal, not a different cross.

Thanks for the updates. Can you please give also a short description of the appearance of the badges of all classes? Knight second class was in silver and worn on a chest-ribbon. Knight first class was in gold and worn on a chest-ribbon. ...

I would not want to buy this particular one as orignal Wagner piece.

OK, thanks.

This is the correct type of ribbon (black with white stripes) for an award with swords. As this award was only for Military Officers, it was awarded for a variety of reasons, but not usually for a single act of bravery.

Nice to know that German orders could change ribbons. Were there many orders that could do this or was it only the Order of the Red Eagle?

This award is on an interesting improvised single mount (I have not seen another exactly like this before). This is a nice added feature!

Thanks for the update. Nice to know about this detail.

What's the asking price of the dealer???

Thanks Jacky for the reply. The asking price was almost 800 euros, but I suspect it was overpriced.

Thanks VtwinVince for the reply. Is it normal to have the badge of the Red Eagle with this ribbon? I thought the normal ribbon was white with two red stripes. Was this black ribbon with white stripes some sort of a war ribbon or a bravery ribbon?

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention that the hinge of the case was broken, so its condition was far from perfect. Maybe this is why the price for this was not as outrageous as for the Order of the Zahringer Lion I also posted.

On the other hand, I was surprised by the folding of the ribbon. I was expecting the full ribbon to go through the suspension ring, not only a narrower bit sewn to the broader ribbon. Was it normal to have the order worn in this way?

Thank you all for the replies. As far as I remember the badge was yellow (gold or at least golden, not oxidized silver), so if I understood right it is that for a knight first class. And the price was somewhere around 1200 USD, way above what you seem to consider an honest price.

Thanks once again for this introductory lesson in old German orders.

Detail (reverse)

Detail (obverse)

Reverse

I have seen this grand officer's star in a dealer's shop and I would be interested in finding out more information about it. Is it authentic? Approximately how much is it worth? Thanks.

Obverse

Detail (case)

Case

Marking on the bottom arm of the cross

Detail

Detail (reverse)

Detail (obverse)

Reverse