Germany Awards - Duke Ernst Oak Leaf Medal 1914/15

The Duke Ernst medal with oak leaves, according to Gessenthal and Schreiber, was awarded only to persons from the Duke's entourage who followed him into the field. However, Nemmergut lists a woman from the East as the first award on August 31, 1915. Other awards were given to the military in 1915 and 1916. A total of 10 awards are expected. Only 2 awards are uniformly named for oak leaves and swords. The Duke Ernst Medal was established on September 16, 1906 by Duke Ernst I on the occasion of his 80th birthday. All sorts of merit should be paid, especially to the ruling house and public welfare. Duke Ernst II. After joining the army, he resumed the award under the same conditions on August 31, 1909. For this, the medal was redone. The stamps were made by the court engraver Max Hazerot in Berlin. With the outbreak of World War I, expansion 1915 were established for the medal of Duke Ernst. These included the swords on the ribbon for gallantry in war and for repeated gallantry by the crown. For voluntary nursing and military charity, a tape was issued with the number 1914. An additional presentation of the crown was also possible here. The Duke Ernst Medal with additional decorations is rare, especially with a crown. Source: Badges of Honor of the Duchy of Saxony-Altenburg..., Catalog for the 2003 exhibition, Museum of Castle and Playing Cards of Altenburg., Jörg Nemmergut, German Orders and Badges of Honor until 1945, Volume 3, 1999.

Round medal made of matte silver. Above is a wide transverse eye. On the ribbon are hollow embossed oak leaves with annual numbers.

Front side:

• Starting at the bottom edge, in the center is a portrait of Ernst II, facing right.
• The rest of the edge up is bounded by a pearl cord.
• Next is a wide ring, which is bounded by a line inside.
• The ring between the pearl cord and the line bears the inscription:
• - ERNST - II - DUKE - VON - SAXE-ALTENBURG -.
• Oak foliage consists of three leaves with stems facing left.
• On it, on the middle sheet, the annual figures are 1914 -/- 15 -.

Downside:

• Along the edge along the pearl cord. Subsequently, a narrow, reversible laurel wreath.
• On this 8 small 5-petal roses each at the same distance.
• The central decorated letter is E - with a small Roman 2 - II - in the lower arch.
• Above the letter is a free-floating crown.

Tape:

• blue 30 mm wide, edges 2 mm, side stripes yellow 6 mm each.