Saxe-Meiningen, Duchy. A Silver Merit Cross For Art And Science, Prototype Example Newly Listed measuring 24 mm (w) x

measuring 24 mm (w) x 245 mm (l)

September 1917 war Riga frei” with an outline of the city of Riga while reverse bears crossed keys surrounded by an oak wreath

marked “1” on the reverse of the catch for maker Deschler & Sohn

with a central applique consisting of a SA-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed sunwheel swastika

Saxe-Meiningen, Duchy. A Silver Merit Cross For Art And Science, Prototype Example Newly Listed measuring 24 mm (w) x(Silbernes Verdienstkreuz fr Kunst und Wissenschaft, Prototyp). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with a central rightward facing profile of Duke Georg of Saxe Meiningen, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse with an inscription of DEM VERDIENST (FOR MERIT), within an oak leaf wreath, with a stylized wreath through the quadrants, unmarked, measuring 36. 17