Physical Description

A circular medal, constructed of silver gilt. The obverse features the anthropomorphic representations of art and science, sitting on a bench and holding hands. The background is filled with the foliage of two laurel trees, positioned to the left and right of the bench. At the bottom is the inscription ‘KUNST U. WISSENSCHAFT’, above an abstract representation of wisdom in the form of an owl. The reverse is smooth and features a rectangular plate with a crown on top, showing in a circular indentation the monogram ‘EL’, with the inscription ‘DEM VERDIENSTE’ in a semi-circle along the lower half. The plate is encircled by a wreath of laurel. The edge of the medal features the inscription ‘VIELE SIND BERUFEN ABER WENIGE SIND AUSERWÄHLET’. With an attached triangular top to hold the loop for suspension, with the stamp ‘SILBER 900’ on the left side, on a ribbon with four white and five dark red stripes.
Examples without the silver mark are known to exist.

History

The Medal of Merit for Industry and Agriculture is the successor of the Merit Medal for Science, Art, Industry, and Agriculture, which was founded by Grand Duke Ludwig III on May 21, 1853, and was conferred upon individuals in recognition of extraordinary achievements in the aforementioned fields.

In 1904, the Medal was divided into the Merit Medal for Art and Science and the Merit Medal for Industry and Agriculture.

The Merit Medal for Art and Science was conferred in recognition of extraordinary achievements in the fields of Art and Science.

The medals were designed by Professor Rudolf Bosselt from Darmstadt.