Silver gilt, enamels, 62.9 mm in height, 62.7 mm in width, weighs 45.1 g (47.8 g with the oak leaf suspension ring). Comes with original 47mm-wide neck ribbon with yellow middle for civilian service. The obverse center medallion features a red enameled cross with golden edges inside a golden ring over an eight-pointed star in black enamel with golden edges. The ring of the center medallion is in blue enamel with the golden inscription 'DEM VERDIENSTE' ("to merit", or "for merit") in gold. The reverse features a pebbled center medallion with Prince Georg Viktor's crowned monogram 'GV'.

Silver gilt, enamels, 62.9 mm in height, 62.7 mm in width, weighs 45.1 g (47.8 g with the oak leaf suspension ring). Comes with original 47mm-wide neck ribbon with yellow middle for civilian service. The obverse center medallion features a red enameled cross with golden edges inside a golden ring over an eight-pointed star in black enamel with golden edges. The ring of the center medallion is in blue enamel with the golden inscription 'DEM VERDIENSTE' ("to merit", or "for merit") in gold. The reverse features a pebbled center medallion with Prince Georg Viktor's crowned monogram 'GV'.

In excellent condition. Minimal wear to the gilt of the arms of the cross, no wear to the enamels visible to the naked eye. The ribbon shows no damage to the silk, just the faintest trace of a water stain to the left of the cross, barely noticeable even if you know it's there.

Initially instituted in 1857 as a medal of merit, awarded to the military and civilians for meritorious actions for the principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont, the award was "re-founded" and upgraded in 1871 as the Order of Merit. While the original medal consisted of a single class, the re-founding of the order included the appearance of the second class. Between then and 1912, the distinction grew to include five classes. In 1918, the German Revolution at the end of WW1 changed the status of Waldeck-Pyrmont as a principality and brought about the Free State of Waldeck and Pyrmont. The Order of Merit became obsolete.
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