Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Silver War Merit Medal

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Silver War Merit Medal with swords on the suspender. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The bust of Carl Eduard facing right with the inscription 'CARL EDUARD HERZOGV SACHSEN COBURG U GOTHA' around the circumference. Reverse: A Maltese Cross with the arms of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in the centre within a laurel wreath and surrounded by the words 'FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER' (Faithful and steadfast) on the circumference. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender on the crossed swords and a piece of 35 mm orange ribbon which has a broad central black stripe with green (inner) and black (outer) stripes near the edges.

The merit medals of the Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order were intended for Non commissioned officers and enlisted men. The Golden Merit Medal typically went to mid-level and senior non-commissioned officers (e.g. Feldwebel, Vizefeldwebel) while the Silver Merit Medal was typically for corporals, lance corporals and privates. During wartime this medal was awarded with a clasp on the ribbon bar which indicated the year of the award. For merit on the home front it was awarded with a plain ribbon clasp ('mit Bandspange'), while for bravery and military merit, it was awarded with a ribbon clasp with swords ('mit Schwerterspange'). These clasps were first adopted during the Franco-Prussian War, where Silver Merit Medals could be awarded with the '1870/71' clasp. A '1901/02' clasp was also authorised for both Golden and Silver Merit Medals. During the First World War the following plain clasps existed: '1914/6', '1914/7' and '1914/8'. Swords clasps were: '1914','1914/5','1914/6', '1914/7', '1914/8', and '1918'. This medal was acquired with the attached ribbon but should in fact have a crimson/purple ribbon with green edge stripes. The medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.