Lessing Medal.

[medals73]

Not a State medal, but rather an award of the Ministry of National Education (Ministeriums für Volksbildung). I don't have very good refernces on these, but I think this is the final (fourth) variety in silver (Haarcke/Hüsken #542.4.2). Sourced corrections are welcomed.

And, despite the bizarre reflections, it is silver.

For more on Lessing (with all the usual caveats) see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthold_Ephraim_Lessing

[CtahhR]

The Lessing Medal (Lessing-Medaille) was the only Medal of the Ministry Of People's Education. Founded on 28th April 1950 in a single class it was later split into 3 classes and then 2 classes. Awarded for outstanding performance and outstanding social and extra-curricular work.

Here is a Type 4 Silver Class which was awarded from 1974.