German Awards - Civilian Merit Medal 1885

Friedrich Franz III. On March 19, 1885, he established a small silver medal for merit. It was awarded to military personnel and civilians for good services to the grand ducal house and individual commendations. Merit medals were now only awarded in one class in silver. For the first time, merit medals were established by Duke Friedrich Franz in 1798. She was a two-class in gold and silver. Under Friedrich Franz II. Medals were awarded three-class in gold, silver and bronze until 1883. The medals were larger (41 mm) and had an inscription of the intended purpose on the reverse. Medals under Friedrich Franz III. They were only 29 mm in size and no longer had a special inscription on the back.
The civilian medal pictured here has an ornate wide eyelet for the ribbon. The minted medal for military personnel has the usual eyelet with a ribbon ring. Medals were subject to return after the death of the awarded. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Silver medal with border. Front and back with a circulating pearl cord around the edge. On top is a soldered ornate ear through which a ribbon is stretched.

Front side:

In the
• center of the picture is a portrait of Friedrich Franz III.
• Along the edge is the inscription: - FRIEDRICH - FRANZ - GRAND DUKE - VON - MECKLENBURG -
• Down the edge is a small die cutter - W. KULLRICH F -

Downside:

In the
• center is the round coat of arms of Mecklenburg from 7 parts with an attached crown.
In the
• upper half along the edge there is an inscription - PER - ASPERA - AD - ASTRA -.
• (Through density to light)

Tape:

• Width 25 mm.

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