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The Medal of Distinction of the State of Vorarlberg was introduced in 1963 and can be awarded for outstanding achievements in the service of the State of Vorarlberg.

A State Medal Council is responsible for the awards. This is an authority within the office of the Vorarlberg State Government. The medal is awarded to the State Governor and to the President of the State Parliament.

There are two classes of medal. For special achievements, particularly where they substantially promote the reputation of the State, the Gold Medal is awarded, otherwise the Silver Medal.

Gold Medal

The Gold Medal is the highest Vorarlberg State decoration. The State Governor and the president of the State Parliament receive it on being elected by the State Parliament. Apart from these two, no more than 24 persons can hold "the Gold" at the same time.
 

Silver Medal

There are no limits on the Silver Medal. Nonetheless, the second highest State decoration is only awarded relatively rarely.
 

Legal basis

Medal act (State Gazette no. 16/1963, 47/1985, 58/2001).

 
Description and wear

The Gold Medal consists of a commander's cross and a guilloche ornament and is worn on a red-white neck band. Measured diagonally, the cross is 55 mm from tip to tip and has four bars which widen slightly at the ends. It is moulded in tombac, enamelled in red and white and plated with real gold. It bears the state coat of arms in the centre. The guilloche ornament is executed in relief and gold-plated. It is loosely connected to the cross and to a gold-plated clip on the neck band. The neck band is 45 mm wide and 50 cm long, moiré and knotted with two end bands.

The Silver Medal consists of a commander's cross and a guilloche ornament and is worn on a red-white neck band. Measured diagonally, the cross is 50 mm from tip to tip and has four bars which widen slightly at the ends. It is moulded in tombac, enamelled in red and white and plated with real silver. It bears the state coat of arms in the centre. The guilloche ornament is executed in relief, silver-plated and somewhat smaller than in the gold medal. It is loosely connected to the cross and a silver-plated clip on the neck band. The neck band is 40 mm wide and 50 cm long, moiré and knotted with two end bands.

Holders of the medal have the right to wear it in an exact replica miniature version or to wear the band in the form of a rosette or a thin strip.