Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of gold. The obverse features the right-facing head of King Friedrich August III with tied long hair, with the circular inscription ‘FRIDERICUS AUGUSTUS D. G. REX SAXONIAE’. The reverse features a left-facing winged woman sitting on a rock, holding a laurel wreath in her extended right hand and a spear in her left hand, with the semi-circular inscription ‘BENE MERENTIBUS’ (‘for good service’) at the top. On a loop for suspension, on a green ribbon with white side stripes or a white ribbon with green side stripes. As of 1914 on a green ribbon.

History

The Bene Merentibus Medal was instituted in 1808, and was awarded for good service.

In 1910, the Bene Merentibus Medal came under the Virtuti et Ingenio Medal for Arts and Science. The obverse features a portrait of the ruling king. The reverse features Pallas Athene, seated, holding a laurel wreath. She is the goddess of wisdom and the protector of art.

There have been no major awards conferred since 1902. In 1913, the chancellery determined that when someone was awarded with a high ranking Virtuti et Ingenio medal, a previously awarded Bene Merentibus medal should be returned.

The Type V (1909-1918) medal features the portrait of King Friedrich August III.

The Gold Medal was made of eight ducats of gold. Like the Virtuti et Ingenio Medal, the medals were not minted until 1909, even though the government began in 1904. It was awarded 32 times, twelve of which were conferred in 1915.