Hesse, Grand Duchy. A General Merit Medal, By Johann Adam Ries Hold the badge is adorned by

the badge is adorned by a Royal crown with enamelled jewels

maker "10" marked on ring

Accompanied by its award document presented to Fritz Hofmann in Kleinmünster on January 23

The citation is as follows

Hesse, Grand Duchy. A General Merit Medal, By Johann Adam Ries Hold the badge is adorned by(Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen fr Verdienste). Instituted 8 June 1889 by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig IV. (1889 1894 issue). Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse with a rightward facing profile of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig IV, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse with a central inscription of FR VERDIENSTE (FOR MERIT), within a laurel and oak wreath, the obverse with a makers mark of J. RIES for the