Russia, Imperial. A 50th Anniversary of Zemstvo Commemorative Badge Auction About 0900 hours

About 0900 hours

both dark patina

Dresden A1 on lid

with a paper label embroidered to the exterior bearing a handwritten inscription indicating the the material was retrieved from a German aircraft downed over the Somme in 1918 (likely during the eponymous Second Battle)

obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gilt crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled ring in the form of a buckled belt with gilt letters reading “MERENTI” (Latin - Merit)

Russia, Imperial. A 50th Anniversary of Zemstvo Commemorative Badge Auction About 0900 hoursInstituted January 9, 1914. In silver, silver gilt, and green enamels, presenting an ovular wreath with green enamel center featuring the silver gilt superimposed cyphers of Alexander II and Nicholas II, with the dates below 1864 1914, the reverse bears a single vertical screwpost with backplate and closure (featuring two integral loops), marked with Dmitry Osipov maker mark on screwplate and badge reverse, also marked with 84 kokoshnik, denoting