Pestalozzi Medal For Loyal Service.

[medals73]

Pestalozzi-Medaille für treue Dienste

Named after the famous educational figure Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827), this medal -- created 15 Nov 1956) was awarded for long service in education. The first class in gold was awarded for 40 years of service (for 30 after 1970), the second class in silver for 25 years (for 20 years after 1966), and the third class in bronze for 10 years.

There are five varieties (see Barthel 3rd ed., 1:122).

For more on Pestalozzi (with all the usual caveats), see: Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[CtahhR]

Gold Pestalozzi Medal For Loyal Service.

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Silver Pestalozzi Medal For Loyal Service.

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Bronze Pestalozzi Medal For Loyal Service.

The well aged older suspension doesn't seem to fit well with the brand new condition of the Medal.

[Greg Collins]

The Pestalozzi Medal is, probably, the easiest DDR medal to add to a collection... because of availability (there are plenty around) and cost (very inexpensive). The document, on the other hand, is somewhat rare. The reason for this is that the document continues to be used in teachers' portfolios- doesn't matter where you taught, just that you taught. Here is a Gold level (30 year) award along with the document to Margit Simmroth. There is no date, nor area for a date, on the doc.

[Ralph Pickard]

Greg - an interesting document with the medal, and nice to see the document. Like you stated in your post that there is no date on the document, however for me the document looks to be from the 1970s, IMHO.

[Greg Collins]

I concur with your assessment, Ralph, that the doc is from the '70's for at least three reasons. The first is that the document paper just appears older and I do have some experience in printing. Second, the 30 year qualification appeared first in 1970 and, third, the fact that I'm in possession of it may well indicate, unfortunately, that Ms. Simmroth no longer needed it... she may have "crossed the rainbow bridge" so to speak (30 years experience in the 70's equals more than 50 years old at that time, add 40 years to bring her up to now, which would put her in her '90's + or -).