Hesse, Grand Duchy. A General Merit Medal, By Johann Adam Ries Buy Now both the pommel and the

both the pommel and the cross guard are early quality brass base having nearly 100% of the gilded finish

obverse retains nearly 100% original finish

stamped in black ink with the Berlin-based tailor's mark in black ink "Roger Kauert K

the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds

Hesse, Grand Duchy. A General Merit Medal, By Johann Adam Ries Buy Now both the pommel and the(Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen fr Verdienste). Instituted 8 June 1889 by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig IV. (1889 1894 issue). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse with a rightward facing profile of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig IV, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse with a central inscription of FR VERDIENSTE (FOR MERIT), within a laurel and oak wreath, the obverse with a makers mark of J. RIES for the