Austria, Imperial. An Order of the Iron Crown in Gold, Miniature, c.1900

(Orden der Eisernen Kronze Ordenszeichen Miniatur). Established by Napoleon I in 1805 and added to the Austrian Empire in 1815. Type III (1860-1918). Civil Division. Constructed of silver gilt, a highly detailed double-head imperial eagle, holding a sword and orb on each claw, surmounted by a nice imperial crown with laces and red enameled details, on the bottom with a Lombardy crown with enameled green, white, and red details, obverse centre exhibiting an enameled blue shield with gilt letter F, the reverse centre with a mirrored shield dated 1815, measuring 11.68 mm (w) x 21.83 mm (h - inclusive imperial crown), with the original ring suspension, presenting minor loss of gilt, light contact, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Iron Crown was originally established by Napoleon I on June 5, 1805, just a few days after his coronation as the King of Italy. This order was awarded for services to the crown in military, administration, arts and literature.