Austria, Imperial. An Order of Leopold, Knights Cross in Gold with War Decoration, by Rothe, c.1915

(Österreichisch-kaiserlicher Leopold-Orden). Instituted 1808. Type III. (1861-1918). In Gold, a beautiful red and white enamelled cross, the obverse medallion presenting the inscription FIA surrounded by a white ring inscribed INTEGRITATI ET MERITO, the reverse medallion features a white field inscribed OPES REGUM CORA SUBDITO RUM, surrounded by a Gold wreath, the badge is suspended from a large crown with an interior red enamelled cap, a green enamelled wreath below and waving pendilia on each side, measures 31.28 mm (w) x 62.13 mm (h – inclusive of cross adorned crown suspension), weighs 16.29 grams, partial marks on the integral ring, marked on the suspension ring with FR maker mark denoting Rothe, and a gold mark denoting Vienna manufacture between 1872-1922, worn on a trifold ribbon, small areas of enamel damage to the cross on the obverse and reverse, a scarce decoration in Gold, in extremely fine condition.