Awards of Germany - Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Home Order Knight's Cross 1st Class

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. Knightly crosses of the 1st class were made of gold or silver with gilding. 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. On the upper cruciform shoulder between the tips is a bracket for the ducal crown attached from above. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial 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: - DEN - 25. - December - 1833
- B
• surrounded by a golden field, the coat of arms is Saxon, green-golden-black enameled.

Tape:

• purple 36 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes green 4 mm, black dividing line.

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Obverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Knight's Cross 1st Class

Reverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Knight's Cross 1st Class

Established:

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

Awarded:

1833 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Gold
• Size: approx. 45 x 69 mm
• Weight: about 20g

estimated collector price:

950 - €1,050 in gold
600 - 650 € silver gilded

OEK Number:

2474