An 1808 Austrian Medal for the Country's Defenders

Silver, weighing 34.6 grams, obverse illustrating the conjoined right-facing busts of Francis and Empress M. Louise Beatrix (daughter of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, Duke of Modena-Breisgau, and third wife of Francis), marked with the die cutter initials "ST." (Stuckhart) below Francis' bust, surrounded by the inscription "ZUR GEDÄCHTNISS DER VERMÄHLUNGSFEIER FRANZENS I.U.M. LUISE BEATRIX 1808", reverse illustrating two branches of oak leaves tied at the base, forming a wreath, inscribed "MEINEM VERTHEIDIGER DAS DANKBARE VATERLAND" (To the Defenders / The Thankful Country) above and "AM 6 JUNY. 1808." (June 6, 1808) and engraver marked "A. Guillemard. F." below, 49 mm, light contact, near extremely fine. Footnote: It is undetermined as to why this medal was issued. One theory states that it was for the Tenth Anniversary of Francis' Hungarian Coronation on June 6, 1808. It was issued in silver, often with no suspension, as per the medal presented here, as if it were to be displayed and not intended for wearing.