Figure 1: 1896 Imperial Army Maneuvers Commemoration Medal. Image from the author’s archive
Introduction: This medal, the 1896 Imperial Army Maneuvers Commemoration Medal (Errinerungsmedaille an die Kaiser manovers 1896) was issued to commemorate the imperial autumn maneuvers which were held September 1- 16, 1896 at Csakathurrn, (Moscisca (Galizia)
Classes or Types: One
Interesting Facts:
· This medal and the two issued for the 1897 maneuvers have the same obverse.
· There were two medals issued for the maneuvers held in 1896: one for Austrians and the other for the Hungarians who participated.
· The first Imperial Maneuvers during the reign of Franz Joseph occurred in 1885. During his reign imperial maneuvers are known to have occurred in 1885, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914. The emperor attended all maneuvers from 1885 to 1914
Hallmarks: None Known
Design: A round medal with a small loop shaped attached eye
Figure 2: 1896 Imperial Army Maneuvers Commemoration Medal, obverse. Image from the author’s archive
Obverse: A bearded bust of Emperor Franz Joseph I facing to the viewers right and wearing a victor’s laurel wreath, tied at the back with a ribbon, in his hair. Around the image and following the contour of the medal is inscribed: FRANZ JOSEPH I. KAISER V. OESTERREICH K. V UNGARN. Translation: Franz Joseph I Emperor of Austria King of Hungary. Separating the beginning and end of the inscription is a star. Around the edge of the medal between the edge and the inscription is a fine beaded line.
Figure 3: 1896 Imperial Army Maneuvers Commemoration Medal, reverse. Image from the author’s archive.
Reverse: A plain field on which is inscribed an eleven-line inscription. The upper portion of the inscription is in German and the lower in Rumanian. The inscription reads: ZER/ ERINNERUNG/AN D. GROSSE/ KAISERMANUVVER/ IN GALIZIAN/SEPTEMBER 1896. Translation: In commemoration of the great Kaiser maneuvers in Galicia September 1896. Below this inscription is a line with a dote in the middle that separates it from the Rumanian inscription: PAMIATKA/ CESARSKIE MANEWRY / W. GALICYI. W/ WRZESNIU/ 1896. Around the medal is a stylized circle composed of four interconnecting lines.
Weight: 12.5 grams
Size: 30 mm in diameter not including the raised eye at the top
Type of Material: Bronze
Variations: None known
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Unknown
Number Issued: Unknown
Case: Unknown
Ribbon: Unknown
Attachments: None
Miniature: None known
I hope you enjoyed this blog. Until next time, I hope you find joy in our shared interest.
Rick
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