Austria, Republic. An Honour Badge For Merit Of The Republic Of Austria, Grand Cross Case, C.1955

(Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich). Instituted in 1952. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base, red textured exterior on five sides, the bottom with a black pebbled finish and incorporating a case manufacturer's label inscribed "ETUIS-MUSTERKOFFER CARL CECH WIEN, VI. MARCHETTIG. 7", the lid bearing the Austrian coat-of-arms in gold-coloured ink, inside lid in white satin, padded, maker marked "ANTON REITTERER ORDENSJUWELIER WIEN IX. SCHUBERTG. 24" and exhibiting the impressions of the Grand Cross and Breast Star, the base housing a raised platform in white felt with a recessed medal bed for the Badge, along with a recessed medal bed containing a raised pin frame for the Breast Star, swing hook closures on both sides, dual-hinged, measuring 130 mm in width x 308 mm in height x 60.3 mm in depth, scuffing evident on the bottom, the white felt medal bed lightly soiled, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Honour Badge for Merit of the Republic of Austria was instituted on April 2, 1952 by the National Council. It is awarded for outstanding achievement and exceptional services to the Republic, in twelve grades, along with three medals.