Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph in Gold, Knight , by V. Mayer, c.1880

(Franz Joseph Orden). Instituted December 2nd, 1849. Type I (1849-1914). Constructed of Gold, a red enamelled cross with a black enamelled double headed eagle, holding a chain in its mouth with the inscription “Viribus Unitis”, the obverse with a central white enamelled medallion featuring the initials “FJ”, the reverse medallion presents the institution year “1849” with a small hinge at 12 o’clock, opening to reveal a small pocket in the center, suspended from its period-original red triangular ribbon denoting civil conferral, marked on the ring V. MAYERS & SOHNE denoting manufacture by Vincent Manufacture and Sons, with gold mark denoting 760 Gold and manufacture between 1872-1922 in Vienna, extremely fine.