Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of silver gilt. The obverse features the right-facing portrait of Duke Georg with the circular inscription ‘GEORG HERZOG ZU SACHSEN MEININGEN’. Below the neck is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘HELFRICHT F.’. The reverse features an oak leaf wreath, tied at the top and bottom by a crossed ribbon, with the inscription ‘DEM VERDIENSTE’ (‘for merit’) above a crown in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a green ribbon.

History

The Decoration for Art and Science was instituted on July 23, 1874 by Duke Georg I. The decoration was conferred in recognition of extraordinary achievements in the fields of art and science. The award, which was modelled after a similar decoration that was established in Saxe-Coburg, consisted of three grades: I Class Cross, II Class Gold Medal, and III Class Silver Medal.