German Awards - Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Breaststroke to the Great Cross with Swords

The chest star depicted here to the Big Cross with swords was granted for merits in the war. This can be seen by the laurel wreath that surrounds the medallion. If swords were awarded in peacetime, it was an oak wreath. The pectoral stars of large crosses vary greatly in size and weight. The body of the star can be made smooth and shiny. Differences are also found in the design of the cross and the parrying rods of swords. Extensions were chest stars with diamonds and an opening medallion and swords on the ring in 1935. Early manufacturers of breast stars were Bury & Leonhard of Hanau and probably Fa. Fischer & Consorten. Another notable manufacturer was J.Godet & Sohn of Berlin. The ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order was established on March 25, 1833 jointly by 3 dukes Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg and Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxe-Meiningen. Initially, the order had 4 classes: Grand Cross, Komtur 1st class, Komtur 2nd class and Knight. The motto of the order was "Fideliter et constanter" Faithful and steadfast. The Grand Cross of the Order, as the highest class, was awarded to foreigners and foreigners. The princes of the 3 duchies were born with large crosses and entered the order at the age of 18. The principalities of friendly countries also received large crosses. Non-notables could also be awarded if they held at least the office of actual Privy Counsellor or a comparable position. The figures for awarding large crosses with swords have not been fully preserved. For Altenburg, 40 awards were indicated, and for Saxe-Coburg-Gotha - 27. For Meiningen, the data on the award is not known. About 100 large crosses with swords were awarded. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 3, 1999.

Eight-pointed pectoral star. The stellar body consists of 8 beams of radiation. Vertical and horizontal radiation beams are gilded, diagonal - silver. Laying and riveting a gold, enameled order cross. Behind the medallion of the cross there are 2 crossed antique, gilded swords. The reverse is smooth, gilded with a perpendicular pin with a mating hook. In the center is a round overlay with the manufacturer's designation on it .

Front side:

• The order cross consists of 4 white enameled cross hands and a large round medallion.
• Cross arms with gold borders. On the tips are small gold balls.
• The ends of the spider are beveled to the center.
• Medallion with a wide, green enameled and golden burgundy circular laurel wreath.
• Then - a blue enameled ring. On it is the golden motto of the order in capital letters:
• - FIDELITER - ET - CONSTANTER - 4-petal flower at the bottom.
• The closed, recessed midfield is thinly pierced with gold.
• The patch enlarges the green enameled diamond crown.

Downside:

• Smooth and gilded. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook. On the round decorative lining of manufacturers:
• J. GODET&SOHN, BERLIN. Large Prussian coat of arms.

Photos www.mkoegl.de - Specialized trade of orders, insignia and medals

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Obverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Breast Star to Grand Cross with Swords

Reverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Breast Star to Grand Cross with Swords

Established:

March 25, 1833 together with Dukes Ernst I, Friedrich and Bernhard Erich Freund

Awarded:

1833 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, gold, enamel
• Size: 82mm x 75.5mm, swords 71mm x 2.5mm
• Weight: about 75g

estimated collector price:

3300 – 3500 €

OEK Number:

2461