Awards of Germany - Gold Medal for Merit of the Duke of Saxe-Ernestine Order of Duke Karl Edward

The Medal of Merit of the Duke of Saxe-Ernestine Order was established on March 25, 1833 jointly by 3 dukes Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxe-Meinigen and for Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Duke Ernst I. Until 1864, the medal was considered a silver Medal of Merit. After that, there was a division into gold (silver gilded) and silver medals for merit. Medals have a portrait of the ruling duke on the front. On the reverse side of the medals there is an image of the Cross of Merit (reverse) of the Order of the Saxe-Ernestine House, and on the rim there is an inscription - Fideliter - et - Constanter - (faithful and persistent). The first medals for Saxe-Coburg and Gotha depict the founder, Duke Ernst. Between 1895 and 1905, Duke Alfred Avers was sighted. After Duke Karl-Edward came to power in 1905, the front pages with his portrait came to the award. The stamp was made by Max Kavachinsky, a sculptor in Berlin and a court medalist of the duchy. Medals were minted in Nuremberg. Merit medals have become much easier since 1914, from about 17.7 g to 14.5 g. Some options for minting are known, with and without a stamp cutter. Until the end of the World War, silver medals were minted by Bury & Leonhard in Hanau. Duke Carl Edward continued to award medals after 1918-1935. Later medals were then made of gilded bronze. In total, almost 11,000 awards were presented for gold and silver medals. Gold (silver gilded) and silver merit medals continued to be awarded.  Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Silver gilt medal without relief border. On top there is a wide eye through which the tape stretches. On the right along the edge are silver stamps 990.

Front side:

• Facing right is the young chest image of Karl Edward in a guards uniform and cloak.
• On the edge, starting and ending with a coat, a round paraphrase:
• - CARL - ° - EDUARD - ° - HERZOG - ° - V - ° - SACHSEN - ° - COBURG - ° - U - ° - GOTHA -
• To the left of the cervical area is a rough signature - MvK -.

Downside:

In the
• center is a reduced image of an eight-pointed cross for merit,
• The central shield is surrounded by an oak-leafy wreath, in the center is the coat of arms of Saxony.
• On the rim there is an inscription: - FIDELITER - ET - CONSTANTER - a small outlet at the bottom.

Tape:

• purple 26 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes green 4 mm with a black dividing line.

Obverse: Gold Medal of Merit of the Duke of Saxe-Ernestine Order of Duke Charles Edward

Reverse: Gold Medal of Merit of the Duke of Saxe-Ernestine Order of the Duke Karl Edward

Established:

March 25, 1833 together with the Dukes Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxe-Meiningen

Awarded:

1905 – 1914

Data:

• Material: Silver gilded
• Size: 30mm
• Weight: about 14.5g

estimated collector price:

130 - 160 € with punch
110 - 120 € without stamp cutter

OEK Number:

2529