German Awards - Bronze Medal of Merit 1915

The merit medals were established on October 1, 1904 by the Grand Duke Adolf Frederick V. She was awarded gold, silver and bronze in 3 stages. The purpose of the award was to recognize the merits to the grand ducal house and country, for loyalty in the profession or other individual, glorious deeds. Medals were awarded depending on the official position or rank at the stages. The gold medal was intended for persons of officer rank or equivalent civil servants. They received the medal after 25 years of loyal service. Also, the medal could be awarded in the case of civil anniversaries or merits in the union of soldiers and similar merits. The silver medal was awarded to mid-level employees such as live-in servants or footmen and coachmen. The bronze medal remained with the lower servant, day laborers, workers. They could be rewarded if they were in the same service relationship for 50 and then 40 years. Military service counted when a worker returned to service. In case of crimes and violation of official duties, the medal can be returned. Higher levels were subject to mandatory return in the event of death or elevation. It was also possible to borrow foreign citizens.
Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich VI. after his entry into government, the appearance of the merit medals changed. Preserving the statutes issued by his father, the medal was redesigned and provided with his portrait. The inscription - For Merit - is now surrounded by a laurel wreath. The medals were produced by Godet & Sohn, Berlin. Medals under Adolf Friedrich VI. are one of the rarest awards of the Grand Duchy. Medals were minted in matte. There are only 6 in gold, 39 in silver, and 33 in bronze were granted to Mecklenburg-Strelitz citizens who can be detected. The awarding of foreign citizens is not documented. Coinage figures are insignificantly higher. Источник: Peter Ohm-Hieronymussen, Die Mecklenburg-Strelitzer Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 2000.

Round medal made of matte bronze with a raised border. On top is a thicker eyelet with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• On the edge of the inscription: - ADOLF - FRIEDRICH - VI.- GRAND DUKE - (smaller) BACKGROUND -
• - MECKLENBURG - (-) - STRELITZ -.
In the
• center of the picture is a portrait of the Grand Duke Adolf Frederick VI.
• He wears the uniform of the Mecklenburg Grenadier Regiment No. 89.

Downside:

• At a short distance from the edge is a light laurel wreath with fruits.
• It consists of 2 intersecting laurel branches.
• In the included field, 2-line font: - FOR -/- MERIT -.

Tape:

• Width 29 mm, side stripes light blue/yellow 4.5 mm each, central stripes red 10 mm.

.

Obverse: Bronze Medal of Merit 1915

Reverse: 1915 Bronze Medal of Merit

Established:

October 1, 1904 by Grand Duke Adolf Frederick V.
January 1, 1915 amendment of the Grand Duke Adolf Frederick VI.

Awarded:

1915 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Bronze
• Size: 30mm
• Weight: About 15g

estimated collector price:

470 - 490 € in bronze
420 - 430 € in oxidized zinc

OEK Number:

1395, 1395/1