Austria, Empire. An Order Of Franz Joseph In Gold, Commander Cross, By Vincent Mayer’s Söhne, C.1900

(Franz Joseph Orden, Komturkreuz). Instituted on 2 December 1849 by Franz Joseph I. Type 1. (Issued 1849-1914). An excellent quality 18K Gold cross with red-enamelled arms, 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, reverse presents a white-enamelled central medallion bearing the date “1849,” maker mark “VM” for Vincent Mayer’s Söhne of Vienna, gold hallmark of a goat’s head between the number “3” and letter “A” denoting Vienna between 1872 and 1922, measuring 37.12 mm (w) x 69.42 mm (h - inclusive of crown), weighing 22.2 grams, date on reverse central medallion is loose and missing enamels, on flat suspension loop, hallmarked with “A” initials, from period original red neck ribbon, and in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The total number of recipients as of the end of 1917 for the Commanders was 2707. See, M. Christian Ortner and Georg Ludwigstorff, Austrian Orders and Decorations, Part 1/Volume 2: The Imperial-Royal Orders up to 1918 (Verlag Militaria, 2017), 291.