History

The Military Merit Medal was originally instituted on May 30, 1794 by Duke Ludwig Eugen. The Type II medals were introduced on November 6, 1806, by King Friedrich I.

Unlike the Type I Gold Medal, the Type II Gold medal was conferred upon officers and non-commissioned officers who demonstrated bravery in the face of the enemy.

The Type II medals were awarded during the wars of 1806-1807, 1809, 1812, and 1813-1814.

The appearance of the Type II Gold Medal varies greatly. According to some sources, there are eight different obverse patterns and seven different reverse patterns. The obverse and reverse designs were used interchangeably and there was no set combination.

In addition, these sources also claim that there are up to five different patterns of eyelets and ring attachments. Version I is a parallel eyelet that is soldered to the ribbon ring; version II is an eyelet that is cut into the medallion and has a thick ring put through the centre; version III is a standing vertical eyelet that is soldered to the ring; version IV is a standing vertical eyelet that is very long and thin and is attached to the rim; and version V is vertical bracket with a horizontal ring.