Order of Franz Joseph, Type II, Military Division, Grand Cross Breast Star (lower class)
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SKU: 01.AUT.0111.202.01.004
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Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph, Grand Cross Star, with Lower Grade War Decoration (Rothe Copy)
(Kaiserlich-Österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden). Instituted in 1901 by Kaiser Franz Joseph. Post-1945 Copy. A silver star consisting of eight multi-rayed arms, the obverse centre features a red enamelled cross with the imperial double-headed eagle, partially enameled in black, shown in the angles of the cross, the two heads of the eagle bear in their beaks a loop of chain with the emperor’s motto VIRIBUS UNITIS (WITH UNITED FORCES) applied at the lower edge, the white-enamelled central medallion shows the letters FJ for Franz Joseph, surmounted by the Austrian imperial crown, encircled by a gilded laurel wreath around the obverse overlaid cross, the reverse centre presents a principle pin assembly, the pin maker marked with C.F. ROTHE WIEN, measuring 88.89 mm (w) x 88.34 mm (h), weighing 68.1 grams, and in near 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 Grand Cross Breast Star (Civil Decoration) has no additional attributes.
The Grand Cross Breast Star (with War Decoration) was awarded for merit in battle, it has green enamelled tassels below the Crown of St. Stephan.
The Grand Cross 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 Grand Cross 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 Grand Cross 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 Grand Cross 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 Grand Cross 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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