German Awards - King Ernst Augustus Silver Medal of Merit (Small Head) 1841

The Medals of Merit under King Ernst Augustus were established by him on June 5, 1841. The purpose of merit medals was to increase funds, except for orders, to evaluate excellent merit. Merit medals were awarded in 2nd grade, gold and silver. The gold medal "For Merit" was awarded only for special merits. The silver medal of merit shown here, along with the General Badge of Honor, was considered a prerequisite for awarding a gold medal. The medal was printed by medalist Fritz. The first medals depict another laurel wreath on the back. Fritz cut new reverse stamps at an unknown time. Now they have an oak wreath. All medals had as a regional inscription in capital letters the rank/position, name and place of residence of the awarded. Medals with a small image were awarded only from 1841 to 1846, after which Friedrich Bremer carved new front side stamps.
The tradition of merit medals dates back to 1815. Prince Regent George first donated them in the counties of his father, King George III. of Great Britain, to publicly acknowledge any merit. From the very beginning, they were awarded a gold and silver medal. In 1831, new facades with a census were carved - the king -, earlier - the prince - regent -. The tapes were tensioned in the English pattern with some kind of wide buckle (rahe), which was movably connected to the ball support. The regional inscription was still engraved. Laurel wreath medals and the first two forms under Prince Regent George and King William IV. are extremely rare. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1999.

Round silver medal with raised border. An elongated eye with a ribbon ring is attached from above. The data of the borrowed is carved on the rim in large letters.

Front side:

• On the margins is the inscription: - ERNST - AUGUST - V. - G. - G. - KOENIG - V. - HANNOVER. -.
• Below, the opposite year is 1837. -.
In the
• center is a small portrait of the king with a mustache and beard.
• In the cervical area - FRITZ F. - (stamper).

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wide oak-leafy wreath with fruits tied below with a double loop.
• In the included box, a 3-line enlarged font in capital letters:
• - MERIT -/- UMS -/- FATHERLAND -.

Tape:

• blue width 40 mm.

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