Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  1. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  2. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  3. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  4. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  5. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  6. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  7. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  8. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  9. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
  10. Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915

Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915

kr 800.00

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Description

Austria – Group of Four WWI Patriotic Medals, 1914–1915
(Viribus Unitis / Kaiser Franz Joseph I und Kaiser Wilhelm II / Österreichisch-deutsche Waffenbrüderschaft)

Produced during the opening years of the First World War, this group comprises four Austro-Hungarian patriotic medals celebrating Emperor Franz Joseph I, the alliance between Austria-Hungary and the German Empire, and the ideal of Austro-German brotherhood in arms. The paired portraits on three pieces represent Franz Joseph I and German Emperor Wilhelm II, whose images were widely used on wartime medals, badges and jewellery as symbols of loyalty to the allied Central Powers.

Three medals bear the Latin motto “VIRIBUS UNITIS 1914,” meaning “With United Forces.” Viribus Unitis was the personal motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I and became a fitting expression of wartime unity. Two larger variants, one silvered and one bronze-toned, show the overlapping right-facing portraits of the two emperors above crossed foliage. Their reverses carry the motto and date within decorative wreaths.

The smallest medalet is suspended from a red-and-white bow in Austrian colours. Its obverse again shows the two emperors, while the reverse depicts an Austrian and a German soldier shaking hands beneath the inscription “VIRIBUS UNITIS 1914.” The word “GESCHÜTZT” indicates that the design was legally registered or protected.

The fourth and largest medal is dated 1914–1915 and portrays Franz Joseph I in military uniform and field cap. The reverse features an Iron Cross surrounded by laurel and oak foliage, combining Austro-Hungarian imperial imagery with a prominent symbol of Imperial Germany.

These were not official military decorations and conferred no service or bravery distinction. They belong to the broad category of privately produced wartime patriotica, worn or kept by soldiers and civilians as expressions of dynastic loyalty, support for the alliance and remembrance of the early war years.

Condition: Fine to Very Fine overall. The small medal retains its red-and-white bow ribbon, with fading, staining, fraying and an old thread attachment. The silvered and bronze-toned medals show clear portraits and inscriptions, with wear, scratches, oxidation and partial loss of finish; one retains its suspension ring. The larger Franz Joseph medal has heavier wear, dark patina, verdigris and a broken or incomplete upper suspension fitting. The metals appear to be bronze, brass or plated base-metal alloys; precious-metal content has not been tested.

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