Austria-Hungary, Empire. A War Cross for Civil Merit, IV Class
(Kriegskreuz für Zivilverdienste IV. Klasse). Instituted 16 August 1915. (1915-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded bronze, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse joined through the quadrants by an oval oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a central medallion bearing the monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph, circumscribed by an inscription of “MERITO CIVIL TEMPORE BELLO - MCMXV” (“CIVIL MERIT IN A TIME OF WAR - 1915”), the reverse with two visible rivets securing the obverse medallion in place, with a vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, marked “S”, measuring 44.16 mm (w) x 45.55 mm (h), weighing 25.6 grams, in extremely fine condition.

