Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star

SKU: 01.HSD.0103.202.01

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  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Obverse
  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Reverse
  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Obverse
  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Pin
  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Catch
  • Order of Philip the Magnanimous, Type II, Grand Cross Breast Star (in silver gilt) Hinge

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    1849
  • remarks
    Type II was awarded from 1849 to 1918. It features the left-facing bust of Philip the Magnanimous on the obverse.

Physical Description


There are four versions of the Grand Cross Breast Star. The first is constructed of embroidery. The second is constructed of silver and gold. The third is constructed of silver and silver gilt. The fourth bears a crown.

An eight-rayed star with a circular medallion on the obverse. The medallion bears the bust of Philip the Magnanimous encompassed by a border with the inscription "SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS". The reverse varies based on version.

History


The Order of Philip the Magnanimous was instituted on May 1, 1840 by Grand Duke Ludwig II in commemoration of his ancestor, Landgraf Philip I the Magnanimous, and was conferred in recognition of civil and military merit. Landgraf Philip I the Magnanimous was known for his combative and diplomatic skills to which the House of Hesse owed much of its success. Philip established an alliance which protected and brought the Reformation to Hesse in 1526, with the goal of uniting the opposing Reformation groups.

The Order of Philip the Magnanimous was established in four classes: Grand Cross, I Class Commander, II Class Commander, and Knight. Grand Duke Ludwig II appointed himself and all successors in government to be Grand Master of the order. The order was directly lower in status to the Order of Ludwig. A chancellor was appointed to take care of the responsibilities of the order. If a member of the order received a higher class, the lower class had to be returned to the chancellery. Upon a recipient's death, the order had to be returned.

In 1849, the Silver Cross of Merit was added as the order’s fifth grade. In addition, golden crossed swords were added to the order as a possible addition for the four highest grades. Silver crossed swords were a possible addition to the Silver Cross of Merit. In 1859, the Knight Cross was divided into I and II Class. Silver crossed swords became a possible addition for both grades of the Knight Cross.

In 1876, the Order was renamed Großherzoglich Hessischer Philipps-Orden or the Grand Ducal Hessian Philip Order. However, the official renaming of the order did not change the fact that it was continued to be issued under its original name. In 1881, a surmounting crown was added to the order by Duke Ludwig IV. In 1893, it was determined that the conferral of crossed swords would be limited to extraordinary achievements in war. When receiving a higher class, the lower class with swords did not have to be returned. In 1900, the Honour Cross was introduced by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig as a class, which fell between the II Class Commander Cross and I Class Knight Cross. In 1911, golden rays were added between the cross arms of the I Class Commander Breast Star.

The Type II Order grades feature the bust of Philip the Magnanimous on the obverse.

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Versions

  • Price

    $1,400 USD

  • Composition

    Embroidery

  • Inscription

    Obv: SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS

  • Size

    88mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version is constructed of embroidery.

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  • Price

    $2,800 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS

  • Size

    83mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version contains gold.

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  • Price

    $2,400 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS

  • Size

    85mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version contains silver gilt.

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  • Price

    $3,100 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS

  • Size

    82mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version bears a crown.

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Case Of Issue

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