Imperial Austrian Merit Cross (Verdienstkreuz) – Franz Joseph Era

Imperial Austrian Merit Cross, Franz Joseph era, with rich red enamel arms, crowned FJ initials to the obverse and the foundation year 1849 to the reverse. Suspended from an ornate imperial crown, with silvered detailing to the crown, centre medallions and outer rim. Enamel mostly intact with minor edge wear, patina on the silvered areas, crown suspension complete. Red enamel FJ / 1849 is the Verdienstkreuz, not the white-enamel Militarverdienstkreuz.