Prussia – Silver Merit Medal with Document Wilhelm II, 1902

Regular price: $349.00
Sale price: $349.00
Regular price

SKU: 06-200

This is a complete and historically significant set consisting of the Prussian Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen (General Honor Decoration) Silver Medal, awarded in 1902, together with its original award document and fitted case.

Medal Details

Type: Prussian Silver Merit Medal (Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen in Silber)
Obverse: Raised crowned monogram “WR II” for Kaiser Wilhelm II, surrounded by elegant script.
Reverse: Laurel wreath enclosing the inscription “Verdienst um den Staat” (“Merit to the State”).
Ribbon: Original orange-and-white striped silk ribbon, clean and bright, mounted in the fitted case.
Case: Period black leatherette case with fitted black velvet interior, lined for medal and ribbon.

Award Document

Date: 1 September 1902
Recipient: Wilhelm Goelting (noted in the text).
Issuer: By command of Kaiser Wilhelm II, through the General-Kommission in Angelegenheiten der Königlichen Preußischen Orden (General Commission for Royal Prussian Orders).
Signature: Bold ink signature of the commissioner, beneath the printed Prussian arms.
Size: Measures approx. 13 ½” x 8 ½” (34 x 22 cm).
Condition: Light toning and fold lines consistent with age, but text remains clear and attractive.

Historical Context

Instituted in 1810 under King Friedrich Wilhelm III, the Prussian General Honor Decoration was created to recognize distinguished service by civilians, officials, and military personnel outside of combat gallantry. Under Kaiser Wilhelm II, the silver medal was often awarded to civil servants, administrators, and military officials for loyal service to the Prussian state.

The present set is especially desirable as it retains all three components: the medal, original fitted case, and the named award document. Such complete groupings provide excellent research opportunities and are increasingly rare on the collector’s market.