House Order of Saxe-Ernestine, Type II, Civil Division, II Class Knight (with 1914 1916 date)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.SXD.0102.108.01.005

Estimated market value:

$1,500 USD

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Estimated market value:

$1,500 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Germany
  • Composition
    Silver/Silver gilt/Enamelled
  • Inscription
    Obv: 1914 1916 FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER Rev: D 25 DECEMBER 1833
  • Size
    46x71mm

Physical Description and Item Details


A Maltese cross, constructed of silver, gold, and enamel. On top of the 12 o’clock arm is a mobile silver crown, attached by two curved links. The cross is enamelled in white with a narrow silver border and silver ball finials at the tips of the cross arms. On the 12 o'clock arm is the golden date '1914', and on the 6 o'clock arm is the date '1916'. In between the cross arms are silver lions. The obverse centre medallion is golden and pebbled. It features the left-facing portrait of Ernest the Pious. The medallion ring is enamelled in blue with the golden inscription ‘FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER’ (‘loyal and steadfast’), with a small six-sided star at the bottom. The medallion is surrounded by an oak leaf wreath enamelled in green with golden ribbons. The reverse is similar, except that the centre medallion features five horizontal black bars on pebbled gold, with a superimposed green enamelled diagonal bar with five rue leaves with golden borders. The medallion ring features the date ‘D. 25. DECEMBER 1833’ with three small golden stars at the bottom, the one in the middle being the largest of the three. On a loop for suspension, on a purple ribbon with green side stripes.

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 Type II order awards underwent multiple changes. From 1864 onward, the awards no longer featured an obverse letter associated with a Duchy, the awards conferred upon native citizens and foreigners both featured an oak wreath surrounding the centre medallion, and a Gold Medal grade was added to the order.

The awards conferred for exceptional merit during World War I had dates added to the obverse, including "1914", "1914 1915", and "1914 1916".

In 1890, the Knight Class was divided into two separate classes, I Class Knight and II Class Knight. The II Class Knight was abolished later in 1913.

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