Germany, Third Reich. A Rare and Early Order of the German Eagle, Silver Medal of Merit with Case, c. 1937

(Deutscher Verdienstmedaille in Silber in Frakturschrift mit Etui). Instituted 1 May 1937 (1937 issue). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with horizontal pinback, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by NSDAP-style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastikas, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “DEUTSCHE VERDIENST-MEDAILLE” (“GERMAN MERIT MEDAL”) in Fraktur script, the edge stamped with a silver content number of “900”, measuring 38.10 mm in diameter, weighing 26.7 grams (inclusive of ribbon), accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a gilt NSDAP-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the interior with a padded white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former bearing a gilt inscription of “DEUTSCHE VERDIENSTMEDAILLE”, with a fitted black velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 85 mm (w) x 125 mm (l) x 20 cm (h), demonstrating a small edge nick to the seven o’clock position of the medal when viewed from the obverse, a rare cased example of the earliest Silver Medal of Merit issued in the order’s inaugural year in near extremely fine condition.