Awards of Germany - Silver Medal "For Military Merit" 1793

Military merit medals were awarded on June 14, 1793 by King Frederick William II. donated. The purpose of the fund was to reward non-commissioned officers and soldiers (privates) for valiant actions during military clashes. Non-commissioned officers were to receive a gold medal and enlisted men a silver medal. The foundation of the award is associated with the French Revolution and the war against Napoleon, in which the role of a simple soldier (commoner) grew. Medals could not be inherited. Cowardice, desertion and theft entailed deprivation and return. The winners of the Military Merit Medal could no longer be punished by beating. On September 30, 1806, the statutes were changed, and new medals were established, which became the monogram of Friedrich Wilhelm III. Without specifying the year. Medals were worn on a black ribbon until 1806. After that, the well-known black and white tape was introduced. Medals continued to be awarded during the war until they were used up. A total of 600 medals will be played. Over the years, 1793-1795 191 awards have been made. Another 409 medals were awarded in 1806-1807. The printing of the medal is attributed to Daniel Friedrich Loos, court medalist on the main coin of Berlin. It is one of Prussia's rarest awards.

Round silver medal. The edges are raised. The outside is wide and the inside is a narrow stepped edge. Above is a large, parallel soldered eye through which the tape stretches.

Front side:

• Along the edge is a laurel wreath tied from below with a loop with fruits.
• In the included field, three-line font: - MERIT -/- UM -/- DEN - STATE -.
• Down the edge of the central one under the loop is a capital letter - L - for loos.

Downside:

• Above in the center is a large 5-arched royal crown. Including cunning and
• monogram - F - W - R - (Friedrich Wilhelm Rex)
• Between the two lower vaults - R - Roman number 2 - II -.
• Under the monogram, wide, number of the year - 1793 -.

Tape:

30 mm black.

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