Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI

SKU: 02.BAD.0101.603.01

Estimated market value:

$ Click to See Price/Value

  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI (1882-1908) Obverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI Case of Issue Obverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI (1882-1908) Reverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI Case of Issue Obverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI (1882-1908) Obverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI (1882-1908) Reverse
  • Civil Merit Medal in Gold, Small, Type VI (1882-1908) Obverse

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    1857

Physical Description


The Small Civil Merit Medal in Gold from this period has three different versions. The first is a circular medal constructed of gold. The obverse bears the bust of Grand Duke Friedrich I with a moustache, with the inscription "FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN". The reverse bears the image of Badenia with a wreath in one hand and the other resting on a griffin. With the inscription "DEM VERDIENST GEWIDMET VON FÜRST UND VATERLAND" (bestowed for merit by duke and fatherland).

The second version is a circular medal constructed of gold. The obevrse bears the bust of Grand Duke Friedrich I with a beard, with the inscription "FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN". The reverse bears the image of Badenia with a wreath in one hand and the other resting on a griffin. With the inscription "DEM VERDIENST GEWIDMET VON FÜRST UND VATERLAND" (bestowed for merit by duke and fatherland).

The third version is a circular medal constructed of gold. The obverse bears the bust of Grand Duke Friedrich I, with the inscription "FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN". The reverse bears the inscription "FÜR VERDIENST" (for merit) within an oak leaf wreath. This version is seen both stamped and unstamped.

History


The Civil Merit Medal was introduced in 1769 under Margrave Carl Friedrich (Charles Frederick). It was conferred upon civil officers of lower rank who rendered long and faithful service. It was also awarded to private citizens who distinguished themselves in the arts or industry, as well as to individuals who provided assistance in life threatening situations.

Initially, the medal was not meant to be worn. This changed towards the end of the 18th century.
In 1796, a new stamp was created based on a medal that was introduced for the 50th anniversary of Margrave Carl Friedrich’s reign. Since 1810, the reverse shows the female patron of Baden, the “Badenia”, holding a laurel wreath in one hand and resting her other hand on a griffin.

In 1811, Margrave Carl Friedrich was succeeded by his grandson, Grand Duke Carl I. The Civil Merit Medal continued to be awarded with the portrait of Margrave Carl Friedrich until 1817, when a decoration with the effigy of Grand Duke Carl I was introduced.

With the death of Carl I in 1818, Grand Duke Ludwig I followed him to the throne. On February 18, 1819, Ludwig commissioned medallist C. W. Doell to create a new obverse stamp.
In 1828, yet another obverse stamp was created by Ludwig Kachel, Karlsruhe, with a portrait of an older Grand Duke Ludwig I.

The Grand Duke to follow Ludwig I was Leopold. In March of 1831, a new stamp for the obverse of the medal was made by Ludwig Kachel. The reverse initially remained unchanged. However, variations of the obverse and reverse stamps were introduced during the following years, leading to numerous versions of slightly different obverses and reverses being mixed.

Friedrich I took over in 1852. Until 1856, he ruled as Prince Regent. The first medals with his portrait were made in 1855. The reverse of the medal remained unchanged.

In 1856, Friedrich became Grand Duke. The inscription on the obverse of the medallion needed to be altered to reflect his elevated status.

In 1868, a new obverse stamp that was designed by Christian Schnitzspahn was introduced. The new obverse design featured the portrait of an older Friedrich I. In addition, a new reverse stamp with a short inscription inside a wreath of leaves was introduced by Schnitzspahn's father-in-law, Ludwig Kachel.

FOR SALE / WANTED

Item For Sale By

Be the first to sell this item

Wanted By

Be the first to request this item

Versions

  • Price

    $1,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN Rev: DEM VERDIENST GEWIDMET VON FÜRST UND VATERLAND.

  • Size

    32mm

  • Maker

    Ludwig Kachel, Karlsruhe

  • Version Remarks

    This version features the image of Grand Duke Friedrich I with a moustache. The obverse features the maker mark "KCHL" (Kachel). Thi...

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN Rev: DEM VERDIENST GEWIDMET VON FÜRST UND VATERLAND.

  • Size

    32mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version bears the image of Grand Duke Friedrich I with a beard. This version was conferred 80 times.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1,100 USD

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN Rev: FÜR VERDIENST

  • Size

    32mm

  • Maker

    Christian Schnitzspahn, Darmstadt; Ludwig Kachel, Karlsruhe

  • Version Remarks

    This version is stamped and the reverse bears the inscription "FÜR VERDIENST". This version was conferred 409 times.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $850 USD

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: FRIEDRICH GROSHERZOG VON BADEN Rev: FÜR VERDIENST

  • Size

    32.5mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version bears the inscription "FÜR VERDIENST" on the reverse and is unstamped. This version was conferred 2661 times.

  • View Item

Case Of Issue

  • Price

    N/A

  • Size

  • Remarks

Comments

Sign in to comment and reply.

Scroll Top