East German Interior Ministry Silver Merit Medal with Ribbon

GDR Interior Ministry Medal

This is the silver grade of the Merit Medal issued by the Interior Ministry of the German Democratic Republic, the East German state. The obverse reads FÜR HERVORRAGENDE VERDIENSTE, meaning "For Outstanding Merit", around a multi-pointed star carrying the GDR state emblem. It comes as a complete set with the full-size medal on its folded ribbon and the matching ribbon bar, which suits collectors of Cold War East German awards and reenactors building a uniform.

Features

• Steel Medal Body — The medal is struck in steel with a bright silver finish on both faces.
• Inscribed Obverse — FÜR HERVORRAGENDE VERDIENSTE runs around the rim above a radiating star, with crossed oak sprigs at the base.
• GDR State Emblem — The hammer and compass within a ring of rye, East Germany's national arms, sits at the center of the star and again on the reverse.
• Oak Wreath Reverse — On the back, a full oak-leaf wreath circles the state emblem.
• Folded Pentagonal Ribbon — The ribbon folds into the five-sided drape used across Eastern Bloc awards, in khaki with red edges and a black, red and gold center stripe in the national colors.
• Matching Ribbon Bar — The small ribbon bar, worn on everyday uniform in place of the full medal, carries the same stripe pattern.
• Pin-Back Fittings — The medal ribbon and the ribbon bar each have a metal hinged pin on the back for attaching to a tunic.
• Presentation Case — The set sits in a black-framed case with a yellow foam insert that holds the medal and ribbon bar in place.

Issue and Design

The GDR Interior Ministry gave this medal to recognize outstanding service, and the silver version is one grade in its series. This is original East German issue. The striking, the emblem detail and the ribbon weave all follow the state's own award pattern. Displayed in its case or mounted on a uniform, it is a well-documented piece of East German state insignia.