Order of the Crown

The Royal Order of the Crown was a Prussian order of chivalry. Instituted in 1861 as an honour equal in rank to the Order of the Red Eagle, membership could only be conferred upon commissioned officers (or civilians of approximately equivalent status), but there was a medal associated with the order which could be earned by non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. Officially the Order of the Red Eagle and the Order of the Crown were equal. Most officials did however prefer to be appointed in the older Order of the Red Eagle. The Order of the Crown was often used as an award for someone who had to be rewarded while the Prussian government did not want to use the Order of the Red Eagle. Classes The Order had six classes: Grand Cross – wore the Grand Cross badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest; 1st Class – wore the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest; 2nd Class – wore the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest; 3rd Class – wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest; 4th Class – wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest; Medal – wore the medal on a ribbon on the left chest. Insignia The badge of the Order for the 1st to 4th classes was a gilt cross pattée, with white enamel (except for the 4th Class, which was plain). The obverse gilt central disc bore the crown of Prussia, surrounded by a blue enamel ring bearing the motto of the German Empire Gott Mit Uns (God With Us). The reverse gilt disc has the Prussian royal monogram, surrounded by a blue enamel ring with the date 18 October 1861.