Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Royal Medal of Recompense,
Christian IX, 1st type
(Full Size)
克里斯蒂安九世
皇家功績獎章 第一版
(官方版)
Item number: M27
Year: AD 1865-1905
Material: Gold
Size: 28 x 85 mm
Weight: 31.26 g
Manufactured by: Royal Danish Mint
Provenance: Livepool Medals 2022
This medal is the officially named and engraved the 1st type of Royal Medal of Recompense of Denmark, established by King Christian IX in AD 1865. The medal was awarded based on the monarch’s privilege and did not require prior recommendations from public institutions or sources. The 1st type of the medal was issued between AD 1865 and AD 1905, all of these 1st type were officially named on the edge, and were only awarded about 202 times. Currently, it is primarily used to honour individuals who have dedicated 50 years of service to the same private employer or who have provided at least 40 years of loyal service, even if no longer in active service. In addition to private enterprises, the medal is also used as a royal decoration and for individuals who have rendered special services to the king or royal family.
The medal is produced by the Royal Danish Mint, circular in shape, and made of gold. The obverse side features a profile portrait of King Christian IX with the inscription “Christianus IX Rex Daniæ” around the portrait. The reverse side depicts the goddess Victoria, holding an olive wreath in one hand and a weapon in the other.
The name of the recipient is engraved on the side of the medal, indicating that the medal becomes the private property of the awardee and is not required to be returned upon the recipient’s demise, unlike most orders. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a white cross on a red background.
There are four classes of the medal: Gold Crown Medal, Gold Medal, Silver Crown Medal, and Silver Medal (the medal shown here is a Gold Medal). There are five types based on the design on both sides, with different portraits on the obverse, including Christian IX, Frederick VIII, Frederick IX, Christian X, and Margrethe II. The reverse side for the other four types features an oak leaf wreath, making the design of this medal’s reverse side unique.
The recipient of this medal is John Blackburn, a highly esteemed royal House Steward who served King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra(Princess of Denmark) for an extended period. He was probably one of the most important and well-paid members of the Royal Household, as on the books, he was earning over £300 per year at the time.
Although he had served for many years in the Household, he was not entitled to the Royal Household Faithful Service Medal for his service to Prince Edward (as one would have to serve Queen Victoria directly to get the medal), making this his sole named medal.
The Blackburn family developed a close friendship with the royal family, with John’s wife Mary becoming the nanny for George V and Prince Albert Victor(Eddy) after their marriage. Mary was particularly fond of Prince Eddy, even went as far as keeping his first lost tooth, set into a ring with turquoises, and defending him against Queen Victoria’s views.(Queen Victoria believed that the prince was excessively fragile, unable to survive and inherit, and indeed, this turned out to be the case as the prince ultimately passed away at a young age.)
Apart from this medal, John was also the first British recipient of the Royal Victorian Silver Medal in AD 1896. Interestingly, his wife Mary once made Queen Victoria laugh, a rare sight, when, on a royal yacht trip back from a visit to Denmark, baby Eddy was forcefully thrown against Mary on the rough sea, resulting in her getting a black eye. Upon hearing the events and seeing Mary’s injury, Queen Victoria burst into genuine laughter.
這枚獎章由丹麥皇家鑄造廠生產,呈圓形,並由金製成(金質獎章)。在正面,它呈現克里斯蒂安九世的側面肖像。肖像周圍刻有文字“Christianus IX Rex Daniæ”。獎章的背面則是一手拿橄欖葉冠,一手持武器的勝利女神維多利亞。 獲獎者的名字被刻在獎章側邊,表明該獎章是獲獎者的私人財產,不必在死後歸還,不同於多數的勳章徽章。獎章懸掛在一條帶有白色十字的紅色緞帶上。