{"product_id":"austria-hungarian-1873-war-medal-franz-joseph-i-kriegsmedaille-original-imperial-austrian-military-decoration","title":"Austria-Hungarian 1873 War Medal-Franz Joseph I-Kriegsmedaille-Original Imperial Austrian Military Decoration","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustro-Hungarian War Medal of 1873 (Kriegsmedaille)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. This Imperial Austrian military decoration was instituted on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember 2, 1873\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Franz Joseph’s accession to the throne. It was awarded to military personnel who had participated in qualifying campaigns and military actions beginning in 1848, with eligibility later extended to subsequent campaigns during Franz Joseph’s reign.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse features a right-facing portrait of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmperor Franz Joseph I wearing a laurel wreath\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, surrounded by the German imperial title inscription identifying him as Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia and Apostolic King of Hungary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is particularly attractive, featuring the date:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2\u003cbr\u003e DECEMBER\u003cbr\u003e 1873\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003esurrounded by an ornate combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elaurel and oak branches tied together at the bottom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The December 2 date directly references the Emperor’s accession anniversary and the establishment of the medal.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example retains its original-style integral suspension lug and loose suspension ring but \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edoes not have its ribbon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The proper ribbon was a distinctive black-and-yellow Habsburg ribbon traditionally folded into the Austrian triangular configuration.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe medal exhibits an attractive, untouched aged surface with overall patina, oxidation, scattered marks and moderate wear from age and use. Importantly, the portrait, imperial inscription, reverse date and wreath remain quite well defined. The Australian War Memorial describes documented examples as gilded bronze; period examples are also cataloged in bronze\/brass-type alloys.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very nice \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epre-WWI Imperial Austro-Hungarian military decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e dating from the 19th-century reign of one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs. It would display particularly well alongside WWI Austro-Hungarian medals, Imperial German decorations or other Habsburg militaria.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good original condition with age-related surface wear and patina. Suspension ring is present. Ribbon is absent. No attempt has been made to clean or polish the medal. Please refer to photographs for exact condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43374799192141,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/A2B77E2D-6D00-4113-8DE8-2B0142A4B9E2.jpg?v=1786127152","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/austria-hungarian-1873-war-medal-franz-joseph-i-kriegsmedaille-original-imperial-austrian-military-decoration","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}