Lot 774
774
Order of Military Civil Merit, a superb 1806-1818 type Grand Cross Star by Biennais, Paris, 106 x 106mm., silver with gold lettering on arms and an enamelled centre bearing a crowned "FR" cypher in gold lettering, leather backing, reverse fitted with a clip and two support prongs, nearly extremely fine and rare
Order of Military Civil Merit, a superb 1806-1818 type Grand Cross Star by Biennais, Paris, 106 x 106mm., silver with gold lettering on arms and an enamelled centre bearing a crowned "FR" cypher in gold lettering, leather backing, reverse fitted with a clip and two support prongs, nearly extremely fine and rare

Details
Order of Military Civil Merit, a superb 1806-1818 type Grand Cross Star by Biennais, Paris, 106 x 106mm., silver with gold lettering on arms and an enamelled centre bearing a crowned "FR" cypher in gold lettering, leather backing, reverse fitted with a clip and two support prongs, nearly extremely fine and rare

Lot Essay

The Order of Military Merit had its origins in the Military Order of St. Charles instituted in 1759 by Duke Carl Eugene of Wrttemberg. In 1806 the Order of Civil Merit was instituted by King Friedrich I. Between 1806 and 1818 the two Orders were only distinguishable by the colours of the riband.