This guide will cover only the Preußishe Allerhöchste Belobigung.  The Allerhöchste Belobigung is quite an anomaly in the Prussian awards system and requires explanation.  The British and American medal collectors will quickly grasp the concept.  This award was in the form of a Certificate (issued in the name of the Kaiser) and is roughly equivalent to the British Mention in Despatches or the USA Citation (or Commendation) Star, both of which were represented by special devices on the campaign medal.  The Prussian equivalent was not but was ranked directly after any Militär-Ehrenzeichen (Military Awards of Honor) and above any campaign medals.  It is almost always associated with a campaign medal but not necessarily - in a very rare case.  In almost all cases, the Certificate will have obvious printing unique to a particular campaign.  The few rare exceptions are replacement certificates and the rare case of where an award was made and no Prussian campaign medal was authorized.

The Preußishe Allerhöchste Belobigung is known to have been awarded frequently from 1864 until the close of WWI.  However, the origins go back to the Napoleonic Wars when soldiers who performed particularly well were cited in field reports by their commanders but individual Certificates were not awarded.   Since this award is only in the form of a Certificate, the collector needs to review the documents accompanying any German military medal group to determine if this is present.  If it is present, the value of the medal(s) and the desireability to collectors is enhanced tremendously. 

(photo pending)

Preußishe Allerhöchste Belobigung

My best advice is:  Buy only from a reputable dealer who specializes in Prussian medals.  Please visit my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!