Schießplatzmeister

On more comment and I will let it go:

Friedrich Wilhelm ordered on December 19, 1851, that all people being awarded a medal or order for their jubilee will have device attached to the order showing the number of the particular jubilee.

This should clarify this issue.

Hello again everyone:

Thanks for clearing-up my earlier improper statement. I stand corrected! Great information!

Schie?platzmeister

Greetings folks:

Unfortunately, I concur with Medalnet. There are far too many Prussian KO and RAO (even 3rd and 4th class!) turning up with jubilee numerals, compared to the actual numbers that could have actually have been prepared/modified for wear by actual recipients upon completing 50 (+) years of holding the award as a recipient. Antique pieces are exceedingly rare and seldom encountered. The forgers can easily modify genuine badges for a bit of decent financial return for their minimal time and expense. There is a certain auction house in Germany which seems to have many of these types of items regularly offered.

The situation seems to be getting worse all of the time as forgeries of relatively common items are now cropping up. Also, there are exceedingly good copies of Orders now being made by jewelers with "old world" skills. Where there is money to be made the forgers and criminals (usually the same thing) will strike. We have joined the 3rd Reich medal and badge collectors in the struggle to keep our collections free of forgeries. Caveat Emptor!

Please understand that my comments in no way judge the piece listed at the top of this thread!

Thanks,

Schie?platzmeister