History

This medal founded by Prince Alexander of Bulgaria, and it was conferred upon Non-Commissioned personnel and civilians in recognition of merit or gallantry in peacetime and wartime.

The medal was instituted as a complimentary award to the Order of Merit.

The reverse inscription always translates to “For Merit.”

It was awarded on a solid red ribbon for peacetime merit, and a blue ribbon with silver striped edges for wartime merit.

The Type II medals were issued three times.

The medals issued first feature the young, beardless portrait of Prince Ferdiand I of Bulgaria on the obverse, and the obverse inscription translates to “Ferdinand I Prince of Bulgaria.”

The medals issued second feature the older bearded portrait of Prince Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, an obverse inscription that translates to “Ferdinand I Prince of Bulgaria,” and may or may not feature a surmounting royal Crown with dropping or flying pendilia or be stamped by "A.SCHARFF".

The medals issued last feature the elder bearded portrait of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, an obverse inscription that translates to “Ferdinand I Tsar of Bulgarians,” and may or may not feature a surmounting royal Crown with flying pendilia or be stamped by “P.TELGE”.

The Gold Medal was only awarded to high ranking Ministers and Officials that were already recipients of a I Class Bulgarian Order award.