Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) United Republic of brown paper backer

brown paper backer

the medals and orders dispersed between alternating circular charms

designer unknown

silvered and bronze gilt with green

the underside is a convex shape of angled rays joining at a hand-etched cylindrical fastener

Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) United Republic of brown paper backer(Verdienstkreuz). Instituted in 1849. Multi piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, bronze hallmarked and maker marked "WILM. KUNZ WIEN X" (Wilhelm Kunz, Vienna) on the ring, measuring 36 mm (w) x 58. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, the reverse centrepiece rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise, original triangular war ribbon with hook and eye, better than very fine. In an unmatched but authentic