Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of silver. The obverse features the left-facing portrait of Duke Ernst with the circular inscription ‘ERNST HERZOG ZU SACHSEN ALTENBURG’. Below the neck is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘HELFRICHT F.’. The reverse features the reverse of the Saxe-Ernestine House Order, with the circular inscription ‘FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER’ (‘faithful and steadfast’), with a small five-leaf rosette at the bottom. On a loop for suspension, on a purple ribbon with green side stripes. The ribbon features a hatched silver clasp with the date ‘1870/1’ and a raised border. The clasp features crossed swords at the top.

History

The House Order was jointly founded by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Duke Bernhard Erich II of Saxe-Meiningen to commemorate their shared ancestor Duke Ernest of Saxony-Gotha.

The House Order Medals of Merit were primarily awarded to civil servants and members of the founding families in recognition of loyalty and exceptional services rendered to the houses, but it was also conferred upon foreigners and citizens of the founding duchies.

The Type II Silver Medals could have featured additional clasps on the ribbon, including "1870/71" and "1870/71" with swords. The clasps add value to the medal.