Order of Franz Joseph, Type II, Military Division, Commander Breast Star
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.AUT.0111.205.01.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
An eight-pointed silver faceted star, the obverse with a bronze gilt cross with red enameled arms, and with double headed crowned eagle in gilt bronze, with a central white enameled medallion inscribed “FJ” in gilt, along with chains and “Viribus Unitis” (Latin - United Strength) inscribed in gilt, topped with a partially enameled gilt crown fastened to the twelve o’clock arm; the reverse featuring silver gilt laurel wreath fastened to the cross via seven rivets, with two rivets visible where the badge is attached to the star, marked “Vincent Mayer’s Söhne, Wien” and “C” for “Commander”, measuring 80.05 mm (w) x 79.71 mm (h), weighing 69.2 grams, in overall better than extremely fine condition.
This Order was founded by Emperor Franz Joseph I to celebrate and commemorate the first anniversary of his accession to the throne of Imperial Austria.
The Order was conferred upon foreign citizens and Austrians to recognize special merit within diplomatic, civil, and military service.
It originally featured the grades of Grand Cross with Grand Cross Breast Star, Commander, and Knight.
The Order statutes were amended several times, and attributes added to the Order include the War Decoration, lower class War Decoration, and crossed swords.
The War Decoration was awarded in recognition of merit in battle. It takes the form of two green enamelled tassels below the surmounting Crown of St. Stephan. When the War Decoration was added to a Breast Star it is a large gold-coloured laurel wreath behind the Breast Star rays.
The crossed swords were added to awards for distinguished military service. They are generally added below the surmounting Crown of St. Stephan, and on top of the War Decoration attribute if both attributes are present on a single award. The III Class awards have the crossed swords on the ribbon.
The lower class War Decoration attribute was only awarded to the Type II Order grades, and it was awarded for a lower grade of service in battle. The lower class War Decoration takes the form of a green enamelled laurel wreath that closely surrounds the central obverse medallion.
In Type II the civil merit awards were conferred on a red ribbon, while the military merit awards were conferred on the war ribbon. The war ribbon features a stripe of red and white on both sides of the centre, while the centre section features thin alternating horizontal stripes of red and white.
The Commander Breast Star (Civil Division) has no additional attributes.
The Commander Breast Star (with War Decoration) was awarded for merit in battle, it has green enamelled tassels below the Crown of St. Stephan.
The Commander Breast Star (with War Decoration and gold swords) was awarded for distinguished service in battle, it has green enamelled tassels below the Crown of St. Stephan and crossed gold swords.
The Commander Breast Star (with War Decoration and silver swords) was awarded for distinguished service in battle, it has green enamelled tassels below the Crown of St. Stephan and crossed silver swords.
The Commander Breast Star (with lower class War Decoration) was awarded for a lower grade of merit in battle, it has a green enamelled laurel wreath around the central obverse medallion.
The Commander Breast Star (with lower class War Decoration and gold swords) was awarded for a lower grade of distinguished service in battle, it has a green enamelled laurel wreath around the central obverse medallion and crossed gold swords.
The Commander Breast Star (with lower class War Decoration and silver swords) was awarded for a lower grade of distinguished service in battle, it has a green enamelled laurel wreath around the central obverse medallion and crossed silver swords.
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