Obverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Knight's Cross 1st Class
Reverse: Ducal Saxe-Ernestine Household Order Knight's Cross 1st Class
- Material: Gold
- Size: approx. 45 x 69 mm
- Weight: about 20g
600 - 650 € silver gilded
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:
Downside:
Tape:
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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