SMGL-2512 Saxe- Ernestine House Order First class in gold Cased *SOLD

An extremely fine example with no chips or major enamel flaws. This example comes with no ribbon but does come with the extremely rare presentation case. The case itself is in fair condition with some obvious wear ear to the exterior and some wear to the internal purple felt. The case has some bowing to the bottom section but still latches properly. The case is fitted to an Austrian style ribbon mount. This is not an easy award to find in todays market.

GOLD and white enamel Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, with gold ions passant between the arms, on swivel Ducal crown suspension; the face with a circular central gold-gilt medallion bearing the head and shoulders portrait in relief of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg (known as “Ernst der Fromme”, Ernst the Pious, 1601-1675) facing left within a gilt-edged blue ring inscribed “FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER” (Faithfully and Steadfastly) in gilt letters within a green enamel oak wreath; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the Saxon arms in black and green enamel and gilt within a gilt-edged blue ring dated “D.25. DECEMBER 1833” within a green enamel oak wreath; diameter 46.04mm (1.81 inches); The Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, with an associated silver medal, was instituted in four classes jointly on 25 December 1833 by Duke Friedrich of Saxe-Altenburg, Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Duke Bernhard Erich Freund of Saxe-Meiningen. A number of changes were made to the Order in 1864, including the addition of a “golden” (silver-gilt) medal and in 1890 a Knight II class was added. Between 1890 and 1913 just 872 awards of the knight’s cross II class were made. Although the Order was suppressed as a state award at the end of World War I in November 1918, it continued to be awarded sparingly as a dynastic house decoration until banned by the National Socialist regime in 1936.