Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of the reverse inscribed “LITTERIS ET

the reverse inscribed “LITTERIS ET ARTIBUS” (Latin - Letters and Arts)

stamped in black ink "IVC 1942 R

inscribed "ORTSGRUPPE" above and "GLATZ" below

Naming is officially impressed on the BEM

A collection of Second War period letters

Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of the reverse inscribed “LITTERIS ET(Souverner Malteseorden, Goldenes Verdienstkreuz). In bronze gilt, consisting of an Anchor Cross, the arms with pebbled borders, the obverse with a central medallion bearing a Maltese Cross circumscribed by an inscription of MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI (MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT), the reverse with an analogous medallion bearing a date of 1916 inside of a laurel wreath, the twelve oclock arm with an integral loop accommodating a suspension ring