Original Imperial Germany, WW1, 

Pour le Me'rite Marked 938 

Blue Max Medal W/Original Ribbon

Jeweler’s Wearer’s Copy 

Imperial German, WW1, Extremely Rare, Original Orden Pour le Me'rite This awarded only 566 times during the Great War out of a total of 687 PLM’s which included 121 with Oak Leaves awarded during the war. This is an Officer’s only award. When it came with Oak Leaves, junior officers were excluded. This particular decoration is from pre-1917 “Pie-Slice” suspension devise variation. The enamel is a Prussian Blue and the gold lettering is chased. This is an early 20th Century PLM according to volume 3 of the History of the Prussian Pour Le Me'rite Order. The ribbon displays 2 Silver Bands, and the pie slice is marked 𝟵𝟯𝟴. 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 as this medal was typically presented by the Kaiser. This conclusion was reached as the full ribbon does have ties attached 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 and well worn. When I purchased this from another advanced collector there was no award document so this Original Orden Pour le Me'rite is offered as a Jeweler’s Wearer’s Copy.