German Awards - Gold Medal of Merit 1888

The Gold Medal of Merit was established along with the Silver Medal of Merit on May 25, 1888 by Prince Voldemar. The medal shown here is the 1st issue with the Weigand stamp cutter. The first medals made by Bush are somewhat thicker and heavier than the later production of K. F. Zimmerman without the signature of the stamp maker. The Medal of Merit was awarded for remuneration and recognition of special merits, many years of faithful service and commendable deeds. Domestic and foreign citizens such as civil servants, courtiers and military personnel were awarded. The first award took place in October 1888 to the Prussian gendarmes on the occasion of the visit of the emperor. To better characterize military merits, Prince Leopold IV established. 1906 - gold and silver crossed swords on a ribbon.
The stamp was made by Emil Weigand, a medalist at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin. The medals were made by court jeweler Karl Busch in Hanover. The latter produced from 1888 to 1917. From 1917 to 1918, production at Pforzheim was taken over by C. F. Zimmerman. The Berlin company Sy & Wagner made medals for private needs. From 1888 to 1918, a total of 173 gold medals of merit were awarded. Source: Rainer Schwark, order and badge of honor of the principality of Lippe Detmold 1778-1933, works of the Lipp Land Museum, vol. VI, 2005.

Round medal in gilded silver. The princely crown is movably attached along the upper edge, the gaps between which are filled (filed). A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

In the
• center is a portrait of a prince with a beard, facing right.
• On the edge there is an inscription: - VOLDEMAR - PRINCE - ZU - GUBA - below - 1888 -.
• Under the cervical region is small: - WEIGAND F. -

Downside:

A
• short distance from the edge is a wide dense wreath of oak leaves.
• This one at the bottom is tied in a double loop. Under a small loop - E.V.
• In the included field, the 4-line font is FOR -/- FIDELITY -/- AND -/- MERIT -.

Tape:

• red 33 mm wide, side edges blue 8 mm.

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