The Medal of Merit (Bulgaria)

• Time Period: Pre-WW1
• Year of Institution: 1886
• Country: Bulgaria

The Medal of Merit was established by Prince Alexander on 25th December 1881 for merits to the Bulgarian nation and the Crown.

The medal was awarded in three possible classes: Golden, silver and bronze. The gold medal, awarded only a handful of times, as it could only be given to people who already had been distinguished with a Grand cross or First class of a Bulgarian order. Silver and bronze medals were more common, usually intended for army officers and civil servants. The bronze medal was usually awarded to enlisted men, NCOs, clerks, and other low-ranking civil servants.

The Medal of Merit Design

The medal is circular and measures 27 millimeters in diameter. The golden classes were produced of a silver base (or another metal alloy) and then gilded.

The obverse depicts the effigy of the ruling monarch with His royal title circumscribed (Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III or Tsar Boris III). The reverse features in the middle the inscription “ЗА ЗАСЛУГА” (Translated “For merit“), with a five-pointed star beneath it. Both are placed within a circular wreath of oak and laurel twigs bound together with a ribbon at the bottom.

The ribbon is in the crimson color of the Royal Order of St Alexander.