German Awards - Silver Medal for 50 Years of Loyalty to Service (Anhalt-Bernburg)

This medal was officially established in 1843 by Duke Alexander Karl of Anhalt-Berburg. This should probably be seen as an addition to the gold medal instituted in 1835 for 50 years of fidelity to service. The silver medal was awarded to citizens of the duchy who were not eligible to be awarded a gold medal in the rank of senior officials or clergy. The medal was awarded to officials and employees. According to the decree, mountaineers and miners loyal to the service could also be awarded the medal. They were able to receive the award after only 37 or 40 years in a mine or hut. The reason for this, undoubtedly, was the burden on health. The stamp, like the gold medal, was made by the jeweler Brosenius from Quedlinburg. The manufacturer was D. Loos & Sohn in Berlin. Whether the same stamps were used is unknown. After joining Anhalt-Dessau-Köthen in 1863, the award in this form was discontinued. However, medals for 50 years of official fidelity continued to be awarded in a form modified for the entire duchy. Due to the short award period and 50 years of service, these medals are extremely rare.

Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Below along the edge to the middle below, 2 laurel branches with fruits intersect.
In the
• center is an old ornamented font of the letter: - A. - F. - S. -.
• The letters mean Alexy - Friedrich - Christian, the name of the former duke.
• A large ducal crown hovers above the letter.

Downside:

• Below along the edge to the middle 2 below crossed oak-deciduous branches with acorns.
• There is a horizontal line between the branches below.
In the overlying
• field, 3-line old font - For -/- fifty-year-olds -/- Official fidelity -.

Tape:

34 mm, dark green, edges 2 mm, white side stripes 6.5 mm.

Photos of www.medalnet.net