German Awards - Silver Medal of Merit of the Order of the Saxe-Ernestine House of 1891

The "Silver Medal of Merit of the Duke of Saxe-Ernestine Order of the House" was established for the Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg on December 25, 1833 by Duke Frederick. Initially, this medal was awarded only in silver. Only in 1864 silver gilded medals and silver medals began to be awarded. The corresponding medals of the duchies had the image of the ruler of the corresponding duchy. The reverse was the same for all ducal merit medals.
The first form of the medal "For Merit" with a portrait of Duke Frederick was awarded from 1834 to 1871. The Stempelschneider was Professor Ferdinand Helfricht (1809-1892), since 1831 a court engraver at the Gothic Mint.
Merit medals depicting the chest of Duke Ernst I have been issued since 1871 in 2 coinage options. In version 1, Duke Ernst is depicted with a beard on both sides. The 2nd form was introduced in 1891 and depicts an older image of the Duke with a beard only to the left of his chin. The medal is now 29 mm smaller and has the usual eye. The stamps of the medals were made by F. Helfricht. For merits in the war of 1870/71, silver staples were granted on the ribbon. On a vertically shaded background, they show annual indicators - 187 0/1 - and have a raised edge. On top are 2 soldered crossed swords. (For non-fighters even without swords) 1870/71 clasp dimensions 10mm x 20mm. For services to China and South West Africa, the screed was changed. Now it has a smooth background without numbers, and as an edge - a diamond-shaped edging. Dimensions were now 10 mm x 27 mm. Source: Nemmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Silver medal with border. An ordinary eye with a ribbon ring is soldered on top.

Front side:

• Portrait of Duke Ernst with beard and mustache.
• On the margins is the inscription: - ERNST - HERZOG - ZU - SACHSEN - ALTENBURG -.
• Down the edge is a small - HELFRICHT F. -.

Downside:

In the
• center is a reduced image of an eight-pointed cross for merit,
• The central shield is surrounded by an oak-leafy wreath, in the center is the coat of arms of Saxony.
• On the rim there is an inscription: - FIDELITER - ET - CONSTANTER - a small outlet at the bottom.

Tape:

• purple 26 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes green 3 mm, black dividing line.

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