History

This medal was instituted as a commemorative award by Prince Alexander of Bulgaria.

It was conferred in recognition of civil and military involvement in some of the most notable battles of the Serbian-Bulgarian War of 1885.

Due to Prince Alexander’s renunciation of the throne of Bulgaria, the medal was not awarded until the beginning of Prince Ferdinand I’s reign.

The medal was issued two times.

The medals issued first feature the portrait of Alexander I on the obverse, and they have an obverse inscription that translates to “Alexander I Prince of Bulgaria.” The reverse inscription has two possible inscriptions, “ВЪ ПАМЯТЬ СЛАВНОЙ 1885 КОМПАНИИ” which roughly translates to “In Glorious Memory of 1885,” or “ПАМЯТЬ НА СЛАВНАТА ВОЙНА ВЪ 1885” which translates to “Memory of the War in Serbia 1885.”

The medals issued second feature the portrait of Alexander I on the obverse, an obverse inscription that translates to “Alexander I Prince of Bulgaria,” and a reverse inscription that translates to “The Grateful Fatherland to its Brave Sons, 1885” in the centre medallion and “Slivinitza, Gorgulyata, Breznik, Dragoman, Tzaribrod, Pirot, Vidin” in the reverse wreath.

The Bronze Medal was awarded to members of the military who did not participate in battles, and to civilians that participated in the war efforts.