Awards of Germany - Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Home Order Komturkreuz with letter E

The Order of the Ernestine Duchies 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 consisted of 4 classes: Grand Cross, Komtur 1st class, Komtur 2nd class and Knight. Knights 2nd class were added around 1890. Foreigners could also be awarded the order. This required the consent of at least 2 duchies. The awards of the other classes were equally distributed among the 3 duchies. Until 1864, crosses were indicated by letters on the upper cross sleeve. F for Altenburg, E for Gotha and B for Meiningen. Foreigners received crosses without an oak wreath around the medallion. For military merits, from 1850 they were awarded swords on the ring or swords between the cross sleeves. For superimposed letters, thin sleeves were let into the upper cruciform lever. On the back of the letter are 2 small wires that were inserted through these sleeves. Crosses are made hollow. The crown and cross can be made of different gold (18 and 14 carats, respectively). Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Maltese-shaped golden cross with small balls on 8 peaks. Enameled crosses are white. Support and reverse with superimposed round gold medallion. Between the cross hands, the lion shouts up or down, respectively. A bracket is installed on the upper cruciform shoulder between the tips, to which the ducal crown is movably connected from above. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• The golden central shield is surrounded by a green enameled oak-leafy wreath.
• Then a blue enameled ring with a gold inscription:
• - FIDELITER - ET - CONSTANTER - (True and Persistent) Bottom Small Socket
. In
• surrounded by a golden field portrait of the duke looking to the left
• Ernst the Pious (founder of the Gothic branch of the Reg. 1640-1674)

Downside:

• The golden central shield is surrounded by a green enameled oak-leafy wreath.
• Subsequently, a blue enameled ring with a gold inscription: - D. - 25. - December - 1833 -
In a field
• surrounded by gold, the coat of arms is Saxon, green-golden-black enameled.

Tape:

• lighter purple 60 mm wide, edges 2 mm, side stripes green 7 mm, black dividing line.

Photos of www.medalnet.net

Obverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order of Komturkreuz with the letter E

Reverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order Komturkreuz with the letter E

Established:

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

Awarded:

1833 – 1864

Data:

• Material: gold, enamel
• Size: 56.5mm cross, 30.5mm crown
• Weight: 23.3g

estimated collector price:

3000 – 3200 €

OEK Number:

2448