House Order of Saxe-Ernestine, Type I, Civil Division, I Class Commander Breast Star (for foreigners)
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SKU: 01.SXD.0101.104.01.002
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A pebbled Maltese cross, constructed of silver, gold, and enamel. The arms are in silver with narrow golden edges and golden ball finials at the tips of the cross arms. In the centre is a medallion that features a green enamelled rue crown with golden edges on a pebbled golden background, surrounded by a blue enamelled medallion ring with the inscription ‘FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER’ (‘loyal and steadfast’) in golden letters, with a small eight-sided star at the bottom. The reverse features a vertical pinback.
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 I Class Commander Cross was identical to the II Class Commander, the only difference between the two grades was that the I Class Commander Cross was awarded with an associated I Class Commander Breast Star.
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