The Order of Leopold was established on July 24, 1906 by Prince Leopold IV. The occasion was his 1st birthday as the ruling prince in the country. It was an order of merit that was awarded with and without a crown. The Order of Leopold was awarded to persons without a specific title and did not require any specific other awards as a prerequisite. From 1906 to 1918, the order was awarded in 3 different forms. With the 1st amendment to the statutes to the Order of Leopold, silver and bronze medals were also granted. Originally established in 2 classes, the order had from 1908 5 classes, the Order of Leopold without a crown on a ribbon, with a crown as a cross, a cross to the Order of Leopold, a silver and bronze medal to the Order of Leopold. Further extensions and changes occurred in 1910, 1913 and 1916.
Medals were minted by 3 manufacturers: Karl Busch, Hanover, Gode, Berlin and Zimmerman, Pforzheim. Medals can be distinguished by slight deviations in stamps and differences in manufacture. The Busch and Gode medals have a spherical eye, the later Zimmerman forms are ordinary. Godet medals are minted as the only matte silver and, except for the eye, are stamped -990- for silver. Zimmerman medals, in addition to the eye, are stamped - SILVER. Busch medals have no stigma. Size and weight at manufacturers also vary up to 0.5 mm, and weight - from 2 3 g. Medals with swords were ordered, and some were made, but were never awarded. Source: Rainer Schwark, order and badge of honor of the principality of Lippe Detmold 1778-1933, works of the Lipp Land Museum, vol. VI, 2005.
Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a soldered spherical eye with an open ring of tape.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
.
Obverse: Silver Medal to the Order of Leopold
Reverse: Silver Medal of the Order of Leopold
Awards of World War II