This guide will cover the Großherzogtum of Sachsen-Weimar Medaille für Kunst und Wissenschaft (Medal for Arts & Science Medal) only.   Grossherzog Carl Alexander of Sachsen founded this medal on 19 July 1871.  The award was noted in 1893 as being in existence but even then information was minimal.  Very little is known about this German award, so all currently available information will be provided.    By 1923, the only references to this medal are in a historical context.

The Großherzogtum of Sachsen-Weimar Medaille für Kunst und Wissenschaft was made of thick silver and was never hallmarked although it was approximately 800 silver.  The medal was oval with a ball type silver suspender through which the silver suspension ring passed.  Measured dimensions of this medal are:  3.20cm wide, 4.10cm tall (not including the suspender or suspension ring), and .4cm thick and very minor variances can be expected (roughly +/- .05cm).  The obverse had a portrait of Grossherzog Carl Alexander of Sachsen with the lettering CARL ALEXANDER GROSSHERZOG VON SACHSEN  from the 7:30 around to the 4:30 position.  The 6:00 lower position carried only the flat 6-pointed star mark.  Near the thick outer rim was a smaller border which had a series of small circles evenly spaced - not touching this rim but very near.  The reverse carried a thick outer rim with totally oval laurel-leaf spray, bundled at the bottom with a ribbon with DEM VERDIENSTE (For Service) centered in 2 lines.  The ribbon is a red (ponceaurot) color - exactly the same as the Sachsen-Weimar Ordens vom Weißen Falken (Order of the White Falken) about 3.1cm wide and had a fine silk weave with an intricate weft design.  Contemporary ribbons were of silk, the weave is 15-19 rows per cm, each thread is 2 strands of ca. 16-20 fibers per strand, and it is always UV-negative.  It should be noted that the original ribbon is noticably thin when compared to a modern replica. 

Sachsen-Weimar Medaille für Kunst und Wissenschaft

This medal is rarely seen on the market.  Most collectors believe that less than 250 were awarded and it was worn with other medals on the military uniform - although it was rare for a military member.  No common Privates, Corporals, or Sergeants are known to have been recipients of this medal - only a very few officers.  Many medals were made which were never issued (or were used as displays) and have found their way onto the collector market.  To date, no copies have been documented although it is quite possible that some exist.  A well-made copy will be difficult to verify since few originals can be located .  A cast copy is the most likely forgery to be encountered but the collector should bear in mind that a jeweler's copy is also possible which was normally used as a replacement or as an additional medal by the recipient which may be silver hallmarked.  Please see my other guides and blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) for further information.   Thanks for viewing!