Uncategorised Rarest award?

[Mattyboy]

Hi all,

A question popped into my head and I'm curious to see if anyone has done some research on this - what were amongst the rarest Imperial awards based on the number of recipients and/or the life-span of the decoration?

I guess a good example would be the 'Wilhelm-Orden' or the 'Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg'.

If anyone has already crunched the numbers i'd be interested in seeing the results.

Thanks,

Matt.

[Rogi]

Probobly an award with 1 recipient (sorry to be so simple) for Yugoslavian Socialist Orders, it is the "Marshal Star"

Tito, since he was a Marshal was the only recipient. Well crafted and as expensive looking as it was in quality beautiful piece. Made from gold, platinum, diamonds and rubies :D

Edited November 25, 2014 by Rogi

[Wild Card]

A little closer to home, we could start with the RAO grand cross with oak leaves, crown, scepter and sword that was awarded to Bismark in 1878.

[ÖSTA]

These two spring to mind.

The 1813 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross - Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher (only award).

The 1914 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross - Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (only award).

[Chris Boonzaier]

I would like to add a part two to this....

The rarest award that was awarded to Field Grade officers....

I doubt any of us will ever own a Grand star....

But what about things worn by Company commanders, or at a push regimental commanders...

[redeagleorder]

The Bavarian Militar-sanitats-orden 1st klasse would be a good shout. Only 11 awarded.

[Mattyboy]

Some good answers so far. I think that anything under, say 1,000 recipients would qualify as a rare award.

[Wild Card]

A little closer to home, we could start with the RAO grand cross with oak leaves, crown, scepter and sword that was awarded to Bismark in 1878.

To go along with this, I would propose the very much look-alike one of a kind Johanniter Order Protektordekoration which was awarded in 1888 and the, also one of a kind, Johanniter Order Protektordekoration with the Marian Order cross which was awarded in 1913, both to Kaiser Wilhelm.

For something a little less esoteric, how about the Braunschweig Henry the Lion Order 4th class (that’s right 4th class) cross with swords… one awarded.

[The Prussian]

Hi Matt!
Exzellenz v. Knoezer wore the Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg

[Wild Card]

Hi Matt!

Exzellenz v. Knoezer wore the Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg

A better view.

[Mattyboy]

Hi guys,

Thanks. I read somewhere that only 35 of these were awarded since its inception.

[Komtur]

Red Eagle Order 2nd class without oak leaves on white ribbon with black stripes:

Only once awarded to Prof. August Gärtner on August 18th 1918. As it should be in silver gilded.

Regards, Komtur.