German Awards - Medal "For Merit in the Field of Arts and Sciences" 1898

On October 19, 1894, Duke Alfred established the Medal for Art and Science. It was established at the same time as the Science and Art Cross. The Duke decided that the medal would be awarded only in silver. Thus, the gold medals awarded under Ernst fell away. The introduction of the cross for services to art and science dates back to Duke Ernst II. returned on 18 April 1860. Prior to this, medals for special merits in civil life were awarded in gold, silver and bronze, donated on January 30, 1835 by Duke Ernst I. They were first 39 mm in size, and then 24 mm and had an inscription on the back - "FOR MERIT." Designation as a reward for art and science appeared only in the mid-1850s. Under Duke Alfred of Saxony, Coburg and Gotha were awarded 2 forms of the Cross of Merit and the Medal of Merit. The first form retained the inscription on the back - DER VERWERTE - above the crown of the wall. On the medallion of the front side is a portrait of Alfred. In the second form, for the first time, the font is used - FOR ART AND SCIENCE - in an oak wreath. His successor was Karl Edward. The seal for the medal and probably the medallions were carved by Emil Helfricht, the son of the medalist of Professor Ferdinand Helfricht, who worked in London. Delivery was carried out through the L. Christian Lauer Institute of Art Coinage in Nuremberg. Exact award figures are not known. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a wide ironing eye through which the band is stretched. On the upper part of the edge next to the ironing ear is a silver shoulder strap.

Front side:

• Along the edge is the inscription: - ALFRED - HERZOG - VON - SACHSEN - COBURG - AND - GOTHA -.
• On the right is a portrait of Duke Alfred.
• Down the edge is a small manufacturer - LAUER -.

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wide oak wreath of leaves, tied from below with a double loop.
• In the included field, a 3-line enlarged font:
• - FOR -/- ART - AND -/- SCIENCE -.

Tape:

• green 17 mm wide, edges 1 mm, silver side stripes 2 mm.

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