Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, I Class Military Division, Collector’s Example c.1970

(Militärverdienstkreuz, I. Klasse Museumsstück). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined together through the quadrants by a green enameled laurel wreath, the obverse with white enameled arms outlined in red enamel, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a raised and gilded inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), within a ring of red enamel, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, unmarked, measuring 61.40 mm (w) x 61.36 mm (h), weighing 66.0 grams, with minor flecking and tarnishing visible to the enamels and base metal, respectively, a high-quality collector’s exhibition example in extremely fine condition.