Classes
The Order comprises four groups with in total eight classes:
- Grand Cross (Großkreuz)
- Grand Cross Special Class (Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes)
- Grand Cross 1st Class (Großkreuz), sometimes with laurel wreath (special design; Großkreuz besonderer Ausführung)
- Grand Merit Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz)
- Grand Cross 2nd Class, or Grand Merit Cross with Star and Sash (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband)
- Grand Officer's Cross, or Grand Merit Cross with Star (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern)
- Commander's Cross, or Grand Merit Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz)
- Merit Cross (Verdienstkreuz)
- Officer's Cross, or Merit Cross 1st Class (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse)
- Knight's Cross, or Merit Cross on Ribbon (Verdienstkreuz am Bande)
- Merit Medal (Verdienstmedaille)
The President of the Federal Republic holds the Grand Cross Special Class ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag, attended by the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the Bundesrat, and the Supreme Court President. Other than the German president, only a foreign head of state can be awarded with this highest class. There is also the provision of awarding the Grand Cross 1st Class in a special rare design, in which the central medallion with the black eagle is surrounded by a stylized laurel wreath in relief. This Grand Cross special design has been awarded so far only twice, to former German chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl.
Read more about this topic: Order Of Merit Of The Federal Republic Of Germany
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