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Category: Pre-WW1 Medals

The Medal for Noble Deeds

The Medal for Noble Deeds was established in 1793 to recognize the saving of a life at great risk to the rescuer and the rescued.

The Medal for Noble Deeds (or Medaljen for Ædel Dåd in Danish) is a prestigious Danish award given to individuals who have saved a life while putting themselves at great risk.

Established on 12 June 1793 by King Christian VII at the suggestion of the Finance Collegium, the Medal for Noble Deeds recognizes acts of extraordinary bravery. It is currently overseen by the Ministry of Justice.

Due to its stringent criteria, the medal is rarely awarded; as of 2011, there were only eight living recipients. On 25 September 2015, the medal was awarded to three women and a man for their heroic actions during the Præstø Fjord accident on 11 February 2011.

This medal honors those whose selfless acts of courage and bravery exemplify the highest standards of heroism, often resulting in the saving of lives under perilous circumstances. 

The Royal Medal of Recompense

The Royal Medal of Recompense was established in 1865 and is given for 40 or 50 years of service to the same private employer.

The Royal Medal of Recompense (or Den Kongelige Belønningsmedalje in Danish) is a prestigious Danish medal awarded at the discretion of the Monarch. Established by King Christian IX, the medal is currently given to individuals who have dedicated 40 or 50 years of service to the same private employer.

This honor was created by King Christian IX through an ordinance on 4 September 1865. The statutes governing the medal are updated with each new Danish monarch, with the latest statutes adopted on 1 November 1972 and minor amendments made on 28 November 1986 and 25 January 1988.

The Royal Medal of Recompense Design

Produced by the Royal Mint of Denmark, the medal is round and measures 28 millimeters in diameter. It is available in gilded silver (gold medals) or plain silver and comes in versions with or without a crown surmounting the medal.

The obverse features a profile effigy of Queen Margrethe II, encircled by the inscription “Margareta II – Regina Daniæ.” The reverse displays a wreath of oak leaves. Each recipient’s name is engraved on the edge, signifying that the medal is their personal property and does not need to be returned upon their death, unlike some chivalric orders.

The medal is suspended from a red ribbon with a white cross.

The Ingenio et Arti Medal

Ingenio et Arti is a Danish medal established in 1841 and awarded to prominent Danish and foreign scientists and artists.

Ingenio et arti, translating from Latin as “For Science and Art,” is a prestigious Danish medal awarded to distinguished Danish and international scientists and artists. Established by King Christian VIII in 1841, this honor reflects the monarch’s personal recognition of exceptional contributions to the fields of science and the arts. Notably, it is awarded to both men and women, highlighting a commitment to inclusivity from its inception.

Awards are given irregularly, averaging fewer than two per year, making it a rare and highly esteemed accolade. As of May 2021, the most recent recipient was John Neumeier, honored after the premiere of his ballet “Mahler’s 3rd Symphony” at the Copenhagen Opera House on 19 May 2021. This infrequency of awards underscores the exceptional level of achievement required to be considered for this honor.

The Ingenio et Arti Medal Design

The medal’s reverse features “The Genius of Light,” an engraving based on the 1841 plaster relief by renowned sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. This artistic choice underscores the medal’s dedication to celebrating brilliance and enlightenment in both scientific and artistic endeavors.

The Medal of Merit (Denmark)

The Medal of Merit was established by Christian VII on 16 May 1792 and given as a personal award by the sovereign of Denmark.

The Medal of Merit (or Fortjenstmedaljen in Danish) is the oldest existing award medal given by the Kingdom of Denmark.

It was established by Christian VII on 16 May 1792 and was re-instituted by ordinance of Christian VIII on 24 July 1845. This prestigious medal is a personal award bestowed by the Sovereign.

This decoration highlights the individual achievements and contributions of the recipients, honoring their distinguished service and merit in a manner that is both personal and enduring.

Medal of Merit Design

The Medal of Merit comes in two versions, made of either gold or silver.

The obverse features a profile effigy of the reigning monarch, currently Queen Margrethe II, along with the inscription “Margareta II – Regina Daniæ.“

The reverse side bears the word “Fortient” (Merit) encircled by an oak leaf wreath. Uniquely, the recipient’s name is engraved on the edge of the medal, signifying that it is the personal property of the recipient and is not returned upon their death, unlike some chivalric orders.

The medal is suspended from a red ribbon with a white cross, reflecting the national colors of Denmark.

The Order of the Dannebrog

The Order of the Dannebrog is a Danish order of chivalry (with a single class, the “White Knights”) established in 1671 by Christian V.

The Order of the Dannebrog (or Dannebrogordenen in Danish) is a Danish order of chivalry established by Christian V in 1671. Originally, membership was limited to fifty noble or royal individuals, who were known as White Knights, distinguishing them from the Blue Knights of the Order of the Elephant.

In 1808, the Order was reorganized into four classes. A Royal Ordinance in 1951 amended the Order’s statute to allow both men and women to become members. Today, the Order of the Dannebrog honors and rewards individuals for meritorious civil or military service, significant contributions to the arts, sciences, or business, and efforts in promoting Danish interests.

The Order is divided into six grades grouped into four classes:

  • Special class
    • Grand Commander (Storkommandør; S.Kmd.) 
  • First Order class
    • Grand Cross (Storkors; S.K.)
  • Second Order class
    • Commander 1st Class (Kommandør af 1. grad; K.1) 
    • Commander (Kommandør; K.)
  • Third Order class
    • Knight 1st Class (Ridder af 1. grad; R.1) 
    • Knight (Ridder; R.)

The Order of the Dannebrog Design

The badge of the Order of the Dannebrog is a white enameled Dannebrog cross, characterized by a longer lower arm and red enameled borders. For Knights, the badge is in silver, while for higher ranks it is in gold or silver gilt. At the top of the cross is the royal cypher of the reigning monarch, crowned with the distinctive Danish royal crown. The obverse of the cross features Christian V’s royal cypher at the center, along with the Order’s motto, “Gud og Kongen” (God and the King), on its arms. The reverse side displays the crowned royal cyphers of Valdemar II Sejr, Christian V, and Frederik VI, alongside the years 1219, 1671, and 1808, marking their respective ascensions to the Danish throne. Each of the four angles of the cross contains a small Danish royal crown.

The star of the Order is an eight-pointed silver star with straight rays, featuring an enamelled Dannebrog cross at the center, similar to the badge but without the royal cypher and crowns. The breast cross resembles the star’s cross but is larger, with faceted silver instead of white enamel, and lacks the silver rays.

The ribbon of the Order is made of white silk moiré with red borders, reflecting Denmark’s national colors.

The Order of the Elephant

The Order of the Elephant is an order of chivalry established in Denmark during the 15th century. The badge is a white elephant.

The Order of the Elephant (or Elefantordenen in Danish) is Denmark’s highest honor and a prestigious order of chivalry. Though it has roots in the 15th century, it was officially established in its current form in 1693.

The Order traces back to a 15th-century religious confraternity, the Fellowship of the Mother of God, limited to Danish aristocrats. The confraternity’s badge depicted the Virgin Mary and Child within a crescent moon, hung from an elephant-themed collar. Although the confraternity dissolved after the Reformation in 1536, King Frederick II continued using an elephant badge, inspired by the confraternity’s chaplain’s insignia.

In its current form, the Order was established on 1 December 1693 by King Christian V, limited to 30 noble knights plus the Grand Master (the king) and his sons. In 1958, the statutes were amended to allow both men and women to join.

The Order’s emblem, featuring an elephant and a castle, is inspired by the Indian howdah, a carriage mounted on an elephant’s back, a design the Danes encountered during their colonial rule in parts of India. The Indian howdah has been replaced with a European castle, but the elephant rider remains.

The Order of the Elephant Design

The Order of the Elephant features a gold collar made up of alternating elephants and towers. The elephants’ covers bear the letter “D” for Dania, the medieval Latin name for Denmark. The collar is typically worn only on New Year’s Day during the Danish monarch’s New Year’s Court and on major occasions like coronations or jubilees.

Originally, knights wore a distinctive habit on very solemn occasions, consisting of a white doublet, breeches, stockings, and shoes, with a red mantle lined in white and embroidered with the Order’s star. A short white shoulder cape with gold flames and the Order’s collar was worn over this. The ensemble was completed with a black hat featuring a plume of white and red ostrich feathers.

The Badge

The badge is a white-enameled gold elephant with blue housings, approximately 5 cm high. It carries a pink-enameled watch tower adorned with diamonds. A colorfully attired Moorish mahout sits in front of the tower, holding a golden rod. The elephant has a diamond on its forehead and smaller diamonds for eyes, a cross of five diamonds on its right side, and the reigning monarch’s crowned monogram on its left. The badge can be hung from the collar or tied to the sash via a large enameled gold ring at the top of the tower. About 72 such elephants exist at the Order’s chancery or in circulation, with an estimated total of around 100, including those in museums.

The Star

The star of the Order is an eight-pointed silver star with smooth rays. It features a red enamel disc with a white cross at the center, surrounded by a silver laurel wreath, and is worn on the left side of the chest.

The Sash

The sash is made of light-blue silk moiré, 10 cm wide for men and 6 cm wide for women. It is worn over the left shoulder, with the elephant resting on the right hip. The collar is not worn when the sash is used.

The Order of the Oak Crown

The Order of the Oak Crown was established in 1841 by Grand Duke William II and is primarily used as an award for Luxembourgish citizens.

The Order of the Oak Crown (or Ordre de la Couronne de chêne in French, Eichenlaubkronenorden in German) is a prestigious honor of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, established in 1841 by Grand Duke William II, who was also King of the Netherlands.

Initially, the Order of the Oak Crown served as a Luxembourgish honor during the personal union between Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where both nations shared the same head of state. Despite its legal status as a Luxembourgish order, it was frequently used by William II (who conferred the order to fewer than 30 recipients) and his successor, William III (bestowing 300 decorations), to reward Dutch subjects independently of the Dutch government.

The order consists of five grades:

  1. Grand Cross 
  2. Grand Officer 
  3. Commander 
  4. Officer 
  5. Knight 

The Order of the Oak Crown Design

The badge of the Order (depicted here) features a gilt cross pattée enameled in white, with the Officer class distinguished by a green enameled oak wreath between the arms of the cross. The central disc showcases a crowned monogram “W” (for William) on a green enamel background.

The plaque for the Order varies by rank: for the Grand Cross, it is an eight-pointed faceted silver star; for the Grand Officer, it is a faceted silver Maltese Cross. Both plaques have a central disc with the crowned monogram “W” on a green enamel background, encircled by a red enamel ring bearing the motto “Je Maintiendrai” (“I Will Maintain”), which is the national motto of the Netherlands, and further surrounded by a green enamelled oak wreath.

The medal of the Order is octagonal, featuring the badge motif without enamel on the obverse and an oak wreath without enamel on the reverse.

The ribbon is yellow-orange moiré with three dark green stripes, symbolizing the oak forests and rue fields of the Luxembourg countryside.

The Order of Adolphe of Nassau

The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau was founded in 1858 as a chivalric order of the Duchy of Nassau.

The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau (or Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d’Adolphe de Nassau in French) is a distinguished award of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It recognizes outstanding service to the Grand Duke, the Grand-Ducal House, and Luxembourg.

Established in 1858 by Adolphe of Nassau as a chivalric order in the Duchy of Nassau, it honored his ancestor, Adolf, Count of Nassau, the sole member of the House of Nassau to become Roman King of Germany. Following the annexation of the Duchy by Prussia in 1866 and Adolphe’s accession as Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1890, he reestablished the order as an order of merit.

The order consists of eight grades:

  1. Grand Cross 
  2. Grand Officer 
  3. Commander of the Crown
  4. Commander (male) / Cross of Honor for Ladies (female) 
  5. Officer of the Crown
  6. Officer
  7. Knight of the Crown
  8. Knight

Foreigners can also be inducted into the order, making it a common diplomatic honor. During World War II, it was awarded to a select number of Allied officers who played a role in liberating Luxembourg from Nazi Germany.

The Order of Adolphe of Nassau Design

The badge of the order is a gold cross, enamelled in white, with eight points each ending in a gold pearl. The front central disc displays the gold letter “A” in Gothic script, crowned by an imperial crown. This is surrounded by a laurel wreath on a blue-enamelled background, inscribed with the motto “Virtute” in gold letters. The reverse side features the dates “1292” (the year Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg was crowned King of the Romans) and “1858” (the year the order was established by Adolphe, Duke of Nassau) in gold letters on a white-enamelled background. The military division includes two crossed swords under the central medallion. The badge for all classes of the order has a gold crown attached above it.

The plaque (breast star) for the civil division of the order is an eight-pointed faceted silver star for the Grand Cross, or a faceted silver Maltese Cross with silver rays between the arms for the Grand Officer. The central disc is identical to that of the badge. The military division’s plaque also features two crossed swords under the central medallion, with gold hilts and silver blades, and the corresponding badge shows two crossed swords in gold.

The cross mirrors the badge in shape but is not enamelled, and is made of plain gold or silver. The medal is round, available in gold, silver, or bronze, and features the portrait of Adolph, Duke of Nassau.

The ribbon of the order is blue moiré with a narrow orange stripe along each edge. The Grand Cross badge is suspended from a 100 mm wide ribbon. The Grand Officer and Commander wear the badge from a 43 mm wide ribbon, while the Officer and Knight wear it from a 38 mm wide ribbon, with the Officer’s ribbon featuring a rosette in the same colors.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

This long service medal, established in 1848, is still awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848) is awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service for long service. Instituted by Queen Victoria to replace the 1830 version, it initially honored other ranks and men in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Since 2016, the medal is awarded to all regular members, including officers, after completing fifteen years of service.

The original 1830 medal, known as the “anchor type,” was introduced by King William IV and awarded after 21 years of service. It was used until 1847, during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Initially requiring 21 years of service, the qualifying period was reduced to ten years in 1874, then increased to fifteen years in 1884. Despite some confusion regarding changes, the regulations were last updated on 1 October 2016, confirming the fifteen-year service requirement.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Design

The medal is struck in silver, measuring 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in diameter, slightly larger than the earlier “anchor type” medal from 1830, which is 34 millimeters (1.34 inches) in diameter.

The obverse features the effigy of the reigning monarch. Since its institution in 1848, seven versions have been issued, including two versions each during the reigns of Queen Victoria and King George V.

The reverse depicts a starboard broadside view of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The ship is encircled by a rope tied with a reef knot at the bottom, with the inscription “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” around the circumference. The design has remained mostly unchanged, though early Queen Victoria versions with a wide suspender featured a larger flag at the masthead, while later versions had a more triangular flag.

The clasp features a laurel leaf design. When only the ribbon bar is worn, a silver rosette on the ribbon indicates the award of a clasp.

The original 1848 ribbon, paired with the wide suspender version of the medal, was 38 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 7 millimeter wide white edges. With the introduction of the narrower suspender version in 1874, the ribbon was changed to 32 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 6½ millimeter wide white edges.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

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The Order of The Virtues

The Order of The Virtues is an Egyptian order of knighthood founded in 1915 and awarded to women for merit.

The Order of the Virtues (or Nishan al-Kamal, وسام الكمال) is an Egyptian order of knighthood awarded to women for merit. It was established in 1915 and brought back in 1953 under the Egyptian Republic.

Women who render valuable services to the nation or humanity may be eligible for the Order’s recognition. 

The order is composed of the following classes of merit:

  • Supreme Class
  • 1st Class
  • 2nd Class
  • 3rd Class

The highest distinction, the Supreme Class, is reserved for the world’s first ladies and may also be conferred upon the spouses of crown princes or vice-presidents. The First Class of the medal is designated for the spouses of prime ministers, ministers, and individuals in similar roles, while the Second Class is bestowed upon the spouses of ambassadors and other distinguished individuals.

The Order of The Virtues Design

The Supreme Class of the medal is worn on the left side of the chest and features a medallion embellished with red sapphires, turquoise, and blue sapphires. This class is also draped with an 8-centimeter-wide sash crafted from gray silk and accented by two yellow golden welts. Completing this ensemble is a smaller medallion, also adorned with red sapphires, at the end of the sash.

The First Class of the medal mirrors the Supreme Class in design but omits the sapphires and turquoise. The Second and Third Classes of the medal are worn on the left side of the chest, too, but suspended by a knotted ribbon measuring 3.1 centimeters in width. These classes feature medallions akin to those of the First Class, albeit smaller in size.

The ribbon is light grey with yellow/gold edges.