Physical Description

An eight-sided star, constructed of silver and gold wire embroidery. Four of the star’s rays are in silver and four are in gold. Each ray consists of several segments, the number of which varies from specimen to specimen. The star features a Maltese cross in silver with golden edges and golden ball finials at the tips of the cross arms. In the centre is a medallion that features a green rue crown with golden edges on a golden background, surrounded by a blue medallion ring with the inscription ‘FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER’ (‘loyal and steadfast’) in golden letters, with a small rosette at the bottom. The medallion is surrounded by a green oak leaf wreath with golden ribbons. The reverse is reinforced with cardboard.
Some embroidered stars feature a metal medallion with enamel. These were produced between approx. 1840 and 1845.

History

The House Order of Saxe-Ernestine was jointly founded by Duke Ernst I of Coburg-Gotha, Duke Friedrich of Altenburg, and Duke Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxony-Meiningen.

This order originally consisted of the grades of Grand Cross with Grand Cross Breast Star, I Class Commander Cross with I Class Commander Breast Star, II Class Commander Cross, Knight Cross, and Silver Merit Cross.

It was awarded to members of the aforementioned families, civil servants, citizens of Coburg-Gotha, Altenburg, and Meiningen, and foreign citizens to recognise valuable and loyal services.

To be officially conferred upon a foreigner, the award had to have been supported by at least two duchies.

The awards conferred upon citizens of the three founding duchies feature an oak wreath surrounding the centre medallion, while the awards conferred upon foreigners do not.

Additionally, the order awards were decorated with a letter on the obverse of the upper cross arm that was associated with the awarding Duchy.

The order awards from Altenburg feature the letter "F" on the obverse.

The order awards from Saxony-Meiningen feature the letter "B" on the obverse.

The order awards from Coburg-Gotha feature the letter "E" on the obverse.

In 1850, the order was amended to allow crossed swords, through the centre of the cross or on the surmounting ring, to be added to the awards conferred to recognise wartime merits.

The recipients of the Grand Cross were awarded hereditary knighthood.

There are versions of the Grand Cross and Grand Cross Breast Star with diamonds and other brilliants that were only manufactured by Coburg-Gotha.