Imperial German,WW1. Extremely Rare Original Cased Pour le Merite w/ Oak Leaves

Description

Imperial German, WW1, Extremely Rare, Original Cased Orden Pour le Merite with Oak Leaves. This awarded only 121 times during the Great War out of a total of 687 PLM’s awarded during the war. This level of PLM indicated a second award or higher. This is an Officer’s only award. When it came with Oak Leaves, junior officers were excluded. Recipients of the award were either Generals ( or Admirals ) and or members of Royalty, from both Germany and the Central Powers. Some of the recipients included Crown Prince Wilhelm, August von Mackensen and Paul von Hindenburg. This particular decoration is from pre-1917 “ Pie-Slice” suspension devise variation. The enamel is a lighter blue then others and the gold lettering is chased. The ribbon displays 3 Silver Bands in place of the 2 bands only used in PLM’s without Oak Leaves. The cases is from one of the Jewelers appointed to the Crown in Berlin and fitted to the award. It is probable that this particular PLM was a presentation piece that was not worn. PLM’s with Oak Leaves were personally awarded by the Kaiser. Those awarded a PLM were required to wear it at all times, when in uniform or civilian attire. So typically if awarded this medal a second would be purchased as a wearer’s piece and the original put away. This conclusion was reached as the full ribbon does not have ties attached. When I purchased this from another advanced collector some years back there was no award document so this Original Orden Pour le Merite with Oak Leaves is offered as a Jeweler’s Wearer’s Copy.
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