Austria, Imperial. A Badge of Honour for Services to the Red Cross, Star of Merit, Collector’s Example c. 1970

(Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Rote Kreuz, Stern ohne Kriegsdekoration Musseumsstück). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Latin Cross, the obverse with red enameled arms outlined with white enameled borders, joined together through the quadrants by pebbled starbursts, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a red enameled Geneva Cross, within a ring of red enamel bearing a silvered inscription of “PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI” (“PATRIOTISM AND HUMANITY”), the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion bearing a silvered dates “1864-1914”, within a ring of red enamel, with a raised barrel hinge and flattened vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, unmarked, measuring 58.24 mm (w) x 71.82 mm (h), weighing 42.7 grams, with minor flecking visible through the enameled features, a collector’s exhibition example produced c. 1970 in extremely fine condition.