German Awards - Gold Medal of Honor 2. Form of Karl Grocherzog

In 1809, Prince Primate Karl Theodor von Dalberg established medals of honor in gold and silver as a reward for excellent actions in front of the enemy. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the princely primate troops who fought in Spain under French command since 1808 were awarded. This was preceded by reports of valiant and bloody battles of the troops by commandant Gross Major von Welsch. The latter offered 14 non-commissioned officers and soldiers for the award. The answer was given by the general-general of the troops Franz Freiherr Zweyer von Evenbach by the rescript of the prince-primate of May 3, 1809. This meant that officers awarded the Legion of Honor should receive a lifetime pension of 100 thalers, and second lieutenants and soldiers who gloriously distinguished themselves should receive medals of honor.
The production of stamps for medals was carried out by the stampelschneider Konrad Christian L'Allemand (1752-1830) from Frankfurt am Main. The coinage was produced by coinage advisor and mint master Johann Georg Bunsen at the Frankfurt Mint. When embossed, the rear stamp bounced several times, so L'Allemand had to make 4 stamps until the embossing succeeded. On September 30, 7 gold and 20 silver medals of honor were minted.
The first award took place on January 29, 1810 in Palencia by the great Major Welsch. The latter awarded 6 gold and 17 silver medals. Another award list was presented by General von Zweyer on January 23, 1811. Since Prince Primate Karl Theodor von Dalberg had already become the Grand Duke, L'Allemand made new stamps for medals of honor. Of these stamps, only 6 gold and 13 silver medals were minted. A total of 2 gold medals were awarded. The remaining minted medals were most likely awarded to the most deserving individuals offered in 1812 and 1813. Documents were lost at the Battle of Vittoria.
The gold medal of honor of the 2nd form of 1811, shown here, is extremely rare, a maximum of 6 minted copies.

Gold medal with increased, graduated inward border. Above is a curved, riveted jumper with a wide eye through which the tape was stretched.

Front side:

In the
• center is a portrait of Grand Duke Charles with a cloak and neck.
In the
• shoulder part, the letter - L - for the L'Allemand stamp cutter.
• Along the edge is the inscription - CARL - GROSHERZOG - ZU - FRANKFURT -. -.

Downside:

• Along the edge is a light wreath of left laurel and right oak foliage with fruits.
• It intersects at the bottom and is tied in a double loop.
• In the included midfield, the 4-line font increases: - DAS -/- VATERLAND -/
• - ЕГО - TAPFERN -/- VERTHEIDIGER -.
• Among them are weapons trophies, a cannon pipe with 5 bullets, a drum and 4 crossed banners.
In the
• center is a laurel branch.

Tape:

red 40 mm wide.

Photos courtesy of Arnold Auction House, Frankfurt/Main