Georg-August-Zinn-Medaille

The Georg-August-Zinn Medal (Georg-August-Zinn-Medaille) was instituted by Hessian Minister-President Hans Eichel on 13 October 1997 to honor outstanding merit and recognize great commitment to the promotion of culture and the arts in Hesse. In 2008, the medal’s purpose was redirected to merit in service to the common good in Hesse, in order to give the Minister-President the opportunity to honor individuals and institutions that had also distinguished themselves in promoting other fields, such as education, social welfare, and sport. Individuals and institutions, or several individuals and institutions, may be honored at a ceremony.

The front of the medal depicts the former Hessian Minister-President Georg August Zinn, with his name below. The reverse bears the Hessian Lion and the inscription “For Merit in Service to the Common Good in Hesse.” The silver-colored medal has a diameter of 8 cm. When individuals are honored, a miniature version is also awarded as a lapel badge. The design of the medal and the miniature is specified on a model board.

The award is presented once in a calendar year, but at irregular annual intervals. A biennial awarding cycle was intended.