Austria, Imperial. An Order Of Leopold, Badge For Officers (Rothe Copy)

(Österreichisch-kaiserlicher Leopold-Orden, Ehrenzeichen für Offiziere). Instituted on 8 January 1808 by Franz I of Austria. Post-1945 Rothe Copy. Of multi-piece construction, the badge consisting of a Leopold Cross, a cross pattée constructed of gilded bronze, with red and white enamelled arms, the obverse with a central red enamelled medallion, inscribed F.I.A. in gilt for Franciscus Imperator Austriae, surrounded by a ring of white enamels, inscribed INTEGRITATI ET MERITO (Latin - Integrity and Merit), the reverse missing the central medallion, the cross contained within a broad gilded bronze frame, the obverse and reverse dated AM 6 JAN MDCC CVIII (January 6th, 1808), measuring 42.49 mm (w) x 85.56 mm (h - inclusive of crown), weighing 26.5 grams, on a loop for suspension from a gilded, partially enameled swivel crown, accompanied by its period original neck ribbon, and in overall near very fine condition.

Footnote: This Imperial Order of Leopold for Officer’s was bestowed on 2 persons at a time by the head of the Order Chancellery of this Order. Upon the death or retirement of either recipient, the order was returned to the Order Chancellery. So, in theory, after 1918 and collapse of the Empire, one can assume that 2 of these (perhaps a couple of more) were in existence at that time. One is in a museum in Vienna, with two additional examples known to be in private collections.