Founded by Emperor Franz Joseph I on March 12, 1890 the Military Merit Medal was only awarded to officers and officials of similar rank. The Military Merit Medal was awarded in peacetime for meritorious service and in wartime for outstanding acts (including bravery or military merit). The peacetime awards were on the statute ribbon, a red ribbon, while wartime awards were on the ribbon of the Bravery Medal, a "laddered" pattern of red stripes edged in white and with white between the "rungs". This latter was referred to as being either "on the War Ribbon" ("am Kriegsband") or "on the ribbon of the Bravery Medal" ("am Bande der Tapferkeitsmedaille"). Occasionally, the phrase "on the ribbon of the Military Merit Cross" ("am Bande des Militär-Verdienstkreuzes") was used, as the Military Merit Cross also used the ribbon of the Bravery Medal. The Medal became obsolete and was no longer issued upon with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in November 1918.

    The Medal is gold gilt over bronze and features a bust portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I surrounded by text that reads “FRANCISCUS IOS. I. D. G. IMP. AUST. REX BOH. ETC. ET REX APOST. HUNG” (Franz Joseph I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia etc. Apostolic King of Hungary) on the obverse. The reverse features the words "SIGNUM LAUDIS" (Latin for "Sign of Praise") surrounded by a wreath made up of half-laurels and half-oak leaves. The Medal is surmounted by a crown. The Medal hangs from its original, tri-fold, red and white “war ribbon” and comes with its original, leather covered hard case. The Medal was manufactured by Rothe & Neffe of Vienna. It was likely issued during World War I.

    The Medal, usually known as the ‘Signum Laudis’ medal after the inscription on the reverse, was instituted on 12 March 1890 and intended for lower ranks of the military for outstanding acts (‘für außergewöhnliche Taten’) worthy of the sovereign’s praise and recognition (‘allerhöchste belobende Anerkennung’).

    This very attractive and original, ca1915 Empire of Austria-Hungary Military Merit Medal is in outstanding, original condition. The brilliant, gold gilt surface is very well preserved with some light and minor tarnish on the obverse and a small spot of surface on the reverse. The original ribbon is also very well preserved with light soiling only. this toning is especially prominent on the obverse. The original presentation box is intact and sound but does have surface wear as can be seen in the scans below. A leather treatment will brighten up the surface of the Box significantly. Please see the scans for a good representation of the form and condition of this important Empire of Austria-Hungary Military Merit Medal.

    Arare and original, ca1915 Empire of Austria-Hungary Military Merit Medal in its original Presentation Box and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!