{"product_id":"austro-hungarian-military-merit-cross-set-1st-class-breast-star-2nd-class-neck-reproduction","title":"Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Cross Set – 1st Class Breast Star 2nd Class Neck","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration Represented:\u003c\/strong\u003e Militärverdienstkreuz (Military Merit Cross), Austro-Hungarian Empire\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22 October 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gilt and silver-tone metal with enamel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1st Class breast star with pin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2nd Class neck badge with ribbon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e carefully made enamel with detailed reverse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Securely packed for worldwide shipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMilitary Merit Cross (Militärverdienstkreuz)\u003c\/strong\u003e was founded in \u003cstrong\u003e1849\u003c\/strong\u003e by Emperor \u003cstrong\u003eFranz Joseph I\u003c\/strong\u003e, initially as a single-class award for officers demonstrating exceptional service in war or peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKey developments included:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1860:\u003c\/strong\u003e Addition of the green laurel wreath to mark wartime service (\u003cem\u003eWar Decoration\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1914:\u003c\/strong\u003e Expanded into \u003cstrong\u003ethree classes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3rd Class (trifold ribbon)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2nd Class (neck badge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1st Class (breast star)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1916–1917:\u003c\/strong\u003e Introduction of crossed swords for bravery, and the option for multiple awards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWith Diamonds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reserved personally by the Emperor for senior commanders and distinguished allies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe decoration became obsolete in \u003cstrong\u003e1918\u003c\/strong\u003e with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but remains one of the most iconic Imperial honors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003ecollector-grade reproduction set\u003c\/strong\u003e reproduces the \u003cstrong\u003e1st Class breast star\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e2nd Class neck badge\u003c\/strong\u003e in detail, making it ideal for collectors of \u003cstrong\u003eAustro-Hungarian, German, and WWI-era orders\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Valormedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532333789378,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0714\/3155\/3218\/files\/2H5A6277.jpg?v=1785748032","url":"https:\/\/valormedals.com\/products\/austro-hungarian-military-merit-cross-set-1st-class-breast-star-2nd-class-neck-reproduction","provider":"Valormedals.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}