Vatican, Papal State. A Scarce Order of Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, in 18kt Gold, c.1860 certificate_of_authenticity Two Second War German Merit

Two Second War German Merit Crosses - Both in bronze

673 casualties from the war

measuring 45 mm (w) x 102 mm (h)

Naming is officially impressed on the Trio and in raised lettering on the Plaque

wings extending past the wreathed border

Vatican, Papal State. A Scarce Order of Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, in 18kt Gold, c.1860 certificate_of_authenticity Two Second War German Merit(Ordine di Pio IX). Instituted June 17th, 1847. Type I (c. 1860). A scarce award of extremely fine jeweler craftsmanship, in 18kt Yellow Gold, consisting of a dark blue enameled 8 pointed star with rays of sun emanating from the center of the award between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a circular central white enameled medallion inscribed Pius IX, surrounded by a Gold ring inscribed with Virtuti et Merito (Virtue and Merit), the reverse of