Austro Golden Cross of Merit 1849 Franz Joseph Order Medal with Swords

Order of Franz Joseph, Type II, Military Division, Grand Cross Breast Star with Gold Swords
Österreich, Franz Josef Orden Großkreuzstern mit Kriegsdekoration & Schwertern

This piece is a carefully made reproduction of the prestigious Grand Cross Breast Star of the Order of Franz Joseph, one of the most important merit orders of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Founded in 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, the Order of Franz Joseph was awarded for distinguished civil and military merit of the highest rank. The Grand Cross with Breast Star represented the highest class of the order and was reserved for the most senior dignitaries and distinguished recipients.

The war decoration, introduced in 1916, took the form of a green laurel wreath and marked awards granted for merit during wartime. The additional gold swords symbolized personal bravery, active military service, or distinguished command in combat.

The combination of Grand Cross Star, war decoration, and swords is among the rarest and most prestigious variants of the Order of Franz Joseph, and today it holds exceptional historical and collector interest.

• Approx. size: 90 x 90 mm
• Material: Alloy
• Origin: Austria / Österreich
• Ideal for display, collection, reenactment, costume, or historical study