Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) GTRexclude black and gray enamels

black and gray enamels

By the late Fall

grayish-green paper backer

Embedded aluminum eagle exhibits contact and surface wear

Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) GTRexclude black and gray enamels(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