Awards of Germany - Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Silver Medal of Merit 1. Model

The Silver Medal of Merit (Silberne Verdienstmährungsmalzeil) is the highest degree of the order, established in 1842. The medal shown here is the first model awarded only from 1841 to 1851. All steps of the Order of the House were made before 1845 by Georg Hossauer in Berlin. He also drafted the order. The first delivery took place in October 1841. The gold medal of honor (silver gilded) with a crown and a silver medal of merit were knocked out on the rim with - HOSSAUER. From 1845 to 1851, the 1st model of the sons of K. M. Weishaupt was delivered to Hanau. April 8, 1844 the silver honorary cross became the 3rd. The class was established and the silver medal "For Merit" became the 5th degree.
On August 23, 1851, King Frederick William IV. special department of the Order of the House, Royal Order of the House of Hohenzollern. The order of the Hohenzollern house broke up into 2 independently existing orders of the house, the order of the royal house of Prussia and the order of the princely house of Hohenzollern. The 2nd model, the so-called intermediate, had a black and white coat of arms with a red crown lining.
On February 16, 1852, the charter was changed. The 3rd model had new, modified stamps for the front and back sides in the form of a medallion of the cross of honor of the 2nd class. The 1st edition still had the correct date of foundation on December 5, 1841, the 2nd edition then on January 1, 1842.
Medals of the 1st award series are extremely rare. A total of 38 silver medals were awarded. Since Hossauer supplied only until 1845, this manufacturer should have accounted for only less than half. Source: Jörg Nemmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Silver medal with raised border. The medal is assembled from 2 separately minted parts filled inside and soldered. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring. On the rim is the manufacturer's punch - HOSSAUER -.

Front side:

In the
• center is the medallion "For Merit."
• On the rim raised, bounded by 2 raised lines inside and outside,
• - FOR - FIDELITY - AND - MERIT -. In the included midfield, the letters are F - C -.
• For the founders Friedrich and Karl. Between - F - and - C - a 6-beam star.
• The letters, at fracture, are overestimated by a 5-arched crown.
• The medallion is surrounded by a wide wreath tied below with a bow.
• On the left is laurel foliage with fruit, and on the right is oak foliage with fruit.
• Both sides have 8 groups of leaves of 3 leaves and 7 per 2 fruits.

Downside:

In the
• center is a medallion of the back of the cross of honor with a raised border.
In the
• center is a coat of arms, tied on the left and right from above with 2 loops and pipes.
In the
• center from above is a 5-arc crown. The inner part with small villi (ermine fur).
• On it is a figured Hohenzollern coat of arms, 4 fields, 2 shaded diagonally.
• The medallion is surrounded by a wide wreath tied below with a bow.
• On the right is laurel foliage with fruits, and on the left is oak foliage with fruits.
• Both sides have 8 groups of leaves of 3 leaves and 7 per 2 fruits.

Tape:

• 30 mm wide, white edges 1.5 mm, black side stripes 4 mm, black central stripes 3 mm.

Obverse: Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Silver Medal of Merit 1. Model

Reverse: Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Silver Medal of Merit 1. Model

Established:

December 5, 1841 by two princes Friedrich Wilhelm (H.-Hechingen) and Karl (H.-Sigmaringen)

Awarded:

1841 – 1851

Data:

• Material: Silver
• Size: 32mm
• Weight: 29g

estimated collector price:

2100 – 2400 €

OEK Number:

1021/6