Military Merit Medal, Type V, in Silver (in silver)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 02.WUT.0124.102.01.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
Silver, engraver marked "K. SCHWENZER" on the obverse, 28.3 mm, extremely fine.
The Military Merit Medal was originally instituted on May 30, 1794 by Duke Ludwig Eugen. The medal was originally only issued in silver, but in 1800 the Gold Medal was introduced for officers who demonstrated outstanding bravery in battle. The recipients were often officers who had not been awarded the Military Merit Order.
With the introduction of the Type II medals in 1806, non-commissioned officers also became eligible to receive the Gold Medal. Enlisted ranks were only eligible to receive the Silver Medal for acts of extraordinary bravery.
The Type III medals were established on September 23, 1818 by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg. The medals were designed by Johann Ludwig Wagner and feature the portrait of a young King Wilhelm I. They were suspended from the Knight’s Cross ribbon of the Military Merit Order.
In 1840, a new medal stamp was designed by Carl Friedrich Voigt from Munich. This version features the portrait of an older King Wilhelm I.
In 1864, the Type IV medals were established by King Karl of Württemberg. The medals were designed by Christian Schnitzspahn and feature the portrait of King Karl on the obverse. They were first awarded during the War of 1866.
The Type V medals were instituted on June 26, 1892 by King Wilhelm II. The obverse of the medals feature the portrait of King Wilhelm II. As of April 8, 1914, the medals were worn on a lemon-yellow and black striped ribbon. The medals were originally manufactured with a high silver content, but following the onset of the First World War, the silver content was severely reduced.
It is estimated that 207,003 silver medals were produced and 201,412 were awarded. The number and quality of the medals awarded by year is as follows: In 1914, 25,023 medals in 993 quality silver were issued; in 1915, 29,000 medals in 800 quality silver were issued; in 1916, 18,000 medals in 800 quality silver and 18,800 medals in 500 quality silver were issued; in 1917, 68,014 medals in 250 quality silver were issued; and in 1918, 48,166 medals in 250 quality silver were issued.
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