German Awards - Frederick II Small Gold Medal of Merit. 1908

After the assumption of office of Grand Duke Frederick II. new front side dies were made. They were made by Rudolf Mayer, a professor at the Karlsruhe School of Applied Arts. The previous division of the medal "For Merit" into the Big Gold, Small Gold and Silver medals "For Merit" remained. Coinage was made at the Karlsruhe mint. Final finishing using an ironing eye and etching was carried out at the B. H. Mayer Coinage Institute in Pforzheim. Small gold medal "For Merit" - 2nd level of medals "For Merit." She was granted for services faithfully rendered and in special recognition and benevolence of the reigning Grand Duke. A small gold medal, as a rule, was awarded to non-commissioned officers and soldiers, as well as equivalent ranks, such as hospital assistants, gunsmiths and toolmakers, field mail guides, etc. Baden's first civil merit medals were instituted by Margrave Carl Friedrich in 1790. Previously, medals could not be worn. Despite the dignity of the Elector already acquired in 1803 and the Grand Duke in 1806, medals with the census of the Elector or Grand Duke Karl Friedrich are not known. The first civilian Medals of Merit with the name "Grand Duke" (MAGN.D.BAD.D.ZAERING.) were established by Grand Duke Karl Friedrich in 1810. The 2nd form bears the image of Grand Duke Charles and was granted only in 1817/18. For the first time with the signature of Karl Groscherzog of Baden. The third variant was introduced by Grand Duke Ludwig in 1818. The 4th version depicts the Grand Duke Leopold, awarded until 1852 in 3 types of stamps. 5th version with the image of Prince Regent Frederick. The 6th option is with Frederick as Grand Duke after 1856. In 1866, statutes for medals were issued. In total, 1813 small gold medals for merit were awarded during the award period. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Round gold medal with raised border. On top of the soldered thickened eye for pulling the tape.

Front side:

• Left-facing chest portrait of Frederick II in uniform.
• Along the edge is the inscription: - FRIEDRICH - II - GRAND DUKE - VON - BADEN -
• Next to the collar are small letters - R - M - (postmelschneider Rudolf Mayer)

Downside:

• Surrounded by an oak wreath font 2 lines - FOR - FOR MERIT -

Tape:

• Volume 1 World Ribbon: Yellow 36 mm.
• Volume 2 Military merits: 36 mm yellow, white edges 2 mm, side stripes 10 mm, red middle stripes 12 mm.

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