DDR Medal of Merit of the German Democratic Republic

[Megan]

Verdienstmedaille der DDR

Instituted: 1959.

Type 1:

[Megan]

Type 3:

[Picture credit: Greg Collins]

[ehrentitle]

The medal shown in the first post is definitely not the first version, it's the second version. The first version had enameled black, red and blue colors around the state symbol.

[Greg Collins]

Not to doubt you, Kevin, but I can't seem to find an example of black, red and blue in Bartel's. According to what is presented in his Band 1, that's a type one (174a). If, however, new research has brought forth the existence of the type you mention, my apologies.

Edited February 16, 2011 by Greg Collins

[ehrentitle]

Greg, I meant to say red, black and yellow, don't know where blue came from. That's what I get from trying to do more than one thing at the same time. Here is the page which shows the "gekörntem Grund" or granular base as the second version:

Edited February 16, 2011 by ehrentitle

[ehrentitle]

Here is the first version from my collection:

[Megan]

Thank you for this... er, is there any chance you'd permit me to use your Type 1 image when I update that page in light of your information? If so, may I have your real name for the acknowledgements.

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

And the version for the NVA and Grenztruppen:

[Greg Collins]

Kevin,

I see what you mean... I stand corrected; mine is definitely a 2nd type. Thanks. Blue would have been a nice touch, though...:cheeky:

[ehrentitle]

Thank you for this... er, is there any chance you'd permit me to use your Type 1 image when I update that page in light of your information? If so, may I have your real name for the acknowledgements.

Sure, I'll send you a PM.

[Paul R]

The early silver version is very nice. Is it much heavier in weight than the later versions?