Germany - Imperial - German States - Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: Gold Medal of Merit of the Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, 4th type (1914-1918) with bust of Duke Bernard. Late war piece in gilded copper and without medallists stamp. Incorrect ribbon. Rare.
Condition: gilding mostly rubbed, overall Good Very Fine.
The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, with an associated silver medal, was instituted jointly on 25 December 1833 by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Duke Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxe-Meiningen. In 1864 a ‘golden’ (silver gilt) medal was added. The reverse of the medal was common to all three Dukedoms, designed by Professor Friedrich Ferdinand Helfricht (1809-1892) of Gotha. The face of the medal bore the image of the Duke of the awarding state at the time of issue. Duke Bernard was in charge from 1914 through to 1918.
