Bulgaria. Medal of Merit in bronze, issued by Alexander I Battenberg

An original and very rare medal in very good collector's condition. Dark bronze, stamped. The medal is on the original shoe. The obverse features a portrait of Alexander I Battenberg (1881-1886). In the center of the reverse, there is an inscription in three lines "FOR MERIT" (the old spelling of the Bulgarian language). The text is surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel branches tied with a ribbon at the bottom. There is a five-pointed star under the inscription. Guarantee of authenticity.

This award was established on December 25, 1881 by Prince Alexander I Battenberg. The medal was intended to be awarded to military personnel and civilians for outstanding services to the state and the throne.  There was also a 1st degree (gold/gilt) and a 2nd degree (silver). The medal is suspended from a triangular red moire ribbon, which corresponds to a peacetime ribbon.