Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of bronze. The obverse features the right-facing portrait of Duke Friedrich with the circular inscription ‘FRIEDR. VIII HERZ. V. SCHLESW. HOLST. MEIN RECHT EURE RETTUNG 1863’. The reverse features two anthropomorphised dukedoms fighting a sea monster wearing a Jacobite’s cap, a sunrise to the left and a Danish warship to the right, with the circular inscription ‘KEINE MACHT DER ERDE SOLL UNS TRENNEN 1864’ (‘no force on earth shall divide us’). On a loop for suspension, on a ribbon of equal parts blue, white, and red (from left to right).

History

The Commemorative Medal for the Proclamation of Friedrich VIII was introduced on December 27, 1863 by Duke Friedrich of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg to commemorate the day he was recognised as the legal regent of Schleswig-Holstein.

It is uncertain who this medal was conferred upon. It was only issued for a short period of time due to the very short reign of Duke Friedrich VIII.