Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of bronze. The obverse features the right-facing portrait of Grand Duke Carl August with the circular inscription ‘CAROLVS AVGVSTVS MAGNVS DVX SAXONIAE’ (‘Carl August Grand Duke of Saxony’). At the bottom is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘BARRE F.’. The reverse features an oak leaf wreath, tied by a ribbon at the bottom, with the inscription ‘MERITIS NOBILIS’ (‘ennobled through merit’) in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a black ribbon with an inner yellow and outer green border on each side.

History

The Merit Medal ‘MERITIS NOBILIS’ was instituted by Grand Duke Carl Friedrich of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in December of 1828, about half a year after the death of his father Carl August.
The idea for the reverse inscription came from famous poet and literary figure Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The medals were either awarded as non-wearable decorations or on a loop and attached to a ribbon.