Militar-Ehrenzeichen 1.kl

[Wild Card]

The side with the crown.

Are you sure Don. I used to think that it was this way too; but according to Nimmergut and Hessenthal, the inscription (Kriegs/Verdienst) side is the obverse. Doesn’t really make sense, but that’s what they say.

[Don D.]

I believe the crown/cypher side of all imperial awards were the obverse.

[Wild Card]

As I indicated, I would tend to agree, but it seems that there are exceptions. Aside from a few other Prussian decorations (most notably the Order of the Red Eagle), getting out of Prussia for a moment, here is one that we often encounter -

[Wild Card]

Reverse.

[streptile]

Aside from a few other Prussian decorations (most notably the Order of the Red Eagle)...

The major Prussian decorations seem to be exceptions all. There is the Red Eagle, the Crown Order, and the Hohenzollern House Order, all of which use the Royal cypher on the reverse.

I have also noted the Nimmergut shows the "Kriegs Verdienst" side of the GMVK as the obverse. So perhaps this one is an exception also?

[Wild Card]

In all fairness, we often encounter perfectly legitimate medal bars where decorations have been mounted incorrectly based upon this belief. I don’t want to belabor the point, but for the benefit of all I would like to cite what is probably the most commonly encountered exception, the Prussian general honor decoration...

[Wild Card]

To illustrate the point, we have here a rather special situation here, but I think that you see what I mean...

[streptile]

In all fairness, we often encounter perfectly legitimate medal bars where decorations have been mounted incorrectly based upon this belief.

Hi Wild Card,

Can you be a bit more specific please? Which belief causes decorations to be mounted incorrectly? That the cypher is the obverse, or that it is the reverse?

Which way is the medal you show supposed to be mounted?

Sorry for so many questions; all of this is a learning opportunity for me.

[Wild Card]

I apologize Streptile, I did not make myself clear on this.

In my opinion, among others, and based on the examples mentioned and shown in this thread, the belief that the crown and/or cypher is always shown on the obverse of the medal has, on occasion, caused decorations to be mounted incorrectly.

With regard to the medal (order, actually) shown in posts 33 and 34, post 33 is the obverse and post 34, with the cypher of Wilhelm II of Württemberg, is the reverse.

In the case of the medal in posts 36 and 37, the reverse is shown in post 36 and the obverse is shown in post 37. I chose this example because this decoration, without the red cross, is rather common and is often found to be mounted incorrectly. I might add, however, that probably the most often seen mismounted decoration is the Prussian Militär-Ehrenzeichen second class (medal).

I hope that I have answered your questions.

Regards,

Wild Card

[Don D.]

I thought we were talking medals which is pretty much all I collect. when you start talking orders.:...:

[streptile]

I hope that I have answered your questions.

You have indeed. Thank you.