Austria, Imperial. An Order of Franz Joseph, Commander Cross with Swords (Rothe Copy)
(Kaiserlich-österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden). Instituted on 2 December 1849 by Franz Joseph I. Post-1945 Copy. A Commander Cross presenting as a gilded bronze Latin cross with richly-detailed, red enamelled arms with a black enamelled double-headed crowned eagle clutching a length of chain, with a central white enamelled medallion inscribed FJ in gilded bronze letters, with Order motto of VIRIBUS UNITIS (WITH UNITED FORCES) inscribed in gilded bronze, the reverse of the cross with a central date of 1849 in gilded bronze on a white enamelled background, with a swivel crown suspension with crossed gilt swords, measuring 37.98 mm (w) x 68.21 mm (h), weighing 24.0 grams, on loop for suspension from period original neck ribbon, and in overall near extremely fine condition.

