Medalja za revnosnu sluzhbu (1878)

The Gold and Silver Medal for Zealous Service (Златна и Сребрна медаља за ревносну службу) was a decoration of the Principality of Serbia. The medal was established on 15/27 February 1878 for the purposes of the war for independence against the Ottoman Empire waged by the Principality of Serbia, and was awarded for “distinguished and zealous service rendered during the war, for the purpose of assisting the operations of the army in the field or, in general, for the purpose of liberation and independence.” In addition to the gold and silver classes, there was also a class of the Gold Medal for Zealous Service with diamonds, which was awarded only twice.

The medals were produced by an unknown workshop in Vienna, and a certificate was also awarded with the decoration. Over the century during which this decoration was in use, it was awarded to members of the Serbian Army, gendarmerie, and police, but also, for the first time, to civilians—prominent citizens and representatives of the civil authorities in the Principality of Serbia. Thus, for the first time in the history of Serbian decorations, a military decoration was also opened to members of the civilian population.