German Awards - Silver Medal of Merit in the Field of Art and Science 1904

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig established on June 4, 1904 new medals for art and science, as well as for agriculture and trade. Medals, unlike those awarded earlier, had a completely new coinage and were awarded separately for two areas with different inscriptions. Medals, as before, were awarded in 2 classes: Gold (silver gilded) medal "For Merit" and Silver Medal "For Merit." Gold medals were worn around the neck, silver on one ribbon on the chest. All medals are matte gilded or silver plated. The silver medal "For Merit" is equal in rank to the Knight's Cross of the 2nd class of the Order of Ludevig and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Philip. The stamps for these medals were made by Professor Rudolf Bosselt in Darmstadt. Group awards were also possible. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Round medal in matte silver with a flat border. Above is a flattened triangular element with a hole. Elongated band ring widening upwards passes through hole.

Front side:

In the
• center is a large stone bench, which stands on a wide horizontal base.
• On a bench nearby sit two people holding their right hand.
• (allegorical depiction as art and science)
• The left person with his left hand covers the shoulder of the right person.
• The left hand lies on his knees. On the pedestal is a flat embossed font:
• - ART - and - SCIENCE - Under the pedestal is a highly stylized owl.
• To the left and right of the stone bench are small laurel trees with 2 branches.
• The foliage of the trees completely fills the upper background behind the individuals.

Downside:

• Along the edge wide, separated inward with a flat edge, ring
• It bears the inscription: - ° - MUCH - ° - IS - ° - VOCATION - ° - BUT - ° -
• - LOW - ° - YES - ° - SELECTED -.
In
• a surrounded field, a circulating thick laurel wreath.
• The central one is a vertically standing rectangular shield with corners protruding downward.
• At the bottom, the shield is slightly superimposed on the outer ring. At the top of the shield is a large crown.
• The crown with its apex is superimposed on the outer ring. An imperial apple with a cross goes to the edge.
• A laurel wreath runs from above the crown, and a rectangular shield is superimposed from below.
In the
• center of the shield is an oval depression with raised intertwined letters - E - L -.
• Below in the oval is a curved font: - ° - DEM - MERIT - ° -.

Tape:

• 36 mm, alternating 5 x red/4 x white 4 mm.

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