Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of silver. The obverse features the left-facing portrait of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst with the circular inscription ‘WILHELM ERNST GROSSHERZOG VON SACHSEN’. Below the neck is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘A. KRÜGER F.’. On the upper right rim, next to the eyelet is the silver content mark ‘SILBER 0,990’. The reverse features a wreath of oak leaves, cross-tied at the top and bottom by a ribbon, with the inscription ‘DEM VERDIENSTE’ (‘for merit’) in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a black ribbon with a yellow inner and green outer border on each side.

History

The General Honour Decoration was instituted by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst, and it was awarded to recognise extraordinary merit, faithful service, and faithful labour. The decoration was conferred upon citizens of Saxe-Weimar and foreign labourers.

The decoration features different reverse inscriptions that correlated with the reason it was awarded, either for merit ("DEM VERDIENSTE" and "DEM VERDIENSTE 1914"), for faithful service ("FÜR TREUE DIENSTE"), for faithful labour ("FÜR TREUE ARBEIT"), or for foreigners ("WE").

The medals may feature a crossed swords clasp on the ribbon. The swords clasp was awarded to indicate merit in war.

The Silver Medal was awarded to middle class recipients, such as educators and registrars.