Emperor Franz II Honor and Merit Medal

Introduction: This medal, Emperor Franz II Honor and Merit Medal (Emperors Franz II Ehren und Verdienstmedaille) was awarded to members of the emperor’s suite on the occasion of his coronation as the German Emperor at Frankfurt on Main on July 14, 1792

Date Issued: July 14, 1792-1804

Reason Issued: Issued to members of the emperor’s suite on the occasion of his coronation as the German Emperor at Frankfurt on Main on July 14, 1792

Classes or Types: There are seven classes of the Type I medals and 4 classes of the Type II Medals.

Type I medals:

• Large Gold Medal
• Gold Medal, first class
• Gold Medal, second class
• Gold Medal, third class
• Silver Medal, first class
• Silver Medal, second class
• Silver Medal, third class

Type II medals:

· Large Gold Medal

· Gold Medal

• Large Silver Medal
• Silver Medal

Interesting Facts:

• The grade of the medal received was determined by the rank of the recipient
• The Large Gold Medal was worn on a gold “chain mail” chain of a weight equal to the weight of the medal on special occasions
• Austrians Bohemians and Hungarians received this medal each with a different reverse
• None of the small silver medals are known to exist

Hallmarks: None Known

Design: A round medal with a raised rim and with an attached round flat eye.

Obverse: 

• Type I: The bust of Franz II, facing to the viewers right. He is portrayed with long wavy hair in which is a laurel wreath near the temples. Paralleling the rim around the upper three-fourths of the medal is a circular inscription: IMP. CAES. FRANCISCVS II. P. F. AVG.  Translation: Franz II the pious, fortunate, noble. At the bottom of the medal below the bust of the emperor is the maker’s name: I. N. Wirt. F. (The F stands for fabrikat, (fabricated).

• Type II: The bust of Franz II, facing to the right. He is portrayed with long wavy hair in which is a laurel wreath near the temples. Paralleling the rim around the upper three-fourths of the medal is a circular inscription: FRANCISCVS. HVNG. BOH. REX. ARCHID. AVST. M.D. HETR. Translation: Francis Hungarian, Bohemian, King, Archduke of Austria. At the bottom of the medal below the bust of the emperor is the maker’s name: I. N. Wirt. F. (The F stands for fabrikat, (fabricated).

Reverse:

• Type I: As Issued to Austrians it has on the upper edge of the medal the inscription: LEGE ET FIDE. Translation: Law and fidelity, below which is the German Crown of the Roman Emperor (Imperial Crown), in the middle of the medal are the crossed coronation sword and scepter along with the orb on top of a pallium.

• Type II: As Issued to Bohemians it has on the upper edge of the medal the inscription: LEGE ET FIDE: Translation: Law and fidelity, below which is the Bohemian lion with his left paw resting on a shield with the Austrian coat of arms upon it and his right foreleg raised with a pontifical cross in it. Upon his head the lion wears the Bohemian crown.

• Type III: As Issued to Hungarians it has on the upper edge of the medal the inscription: PIETATE ET CONCORDIA. Translation: Piety and Piece, below which is the Bohemian lion with his left paw resting on a shield with the Austrian coat of arms upon it and his right foreleg raised with a pontifical cross in its paw. Upon his head the lion wears the Bohemian crown.

Weight:

Type I medals:

• Large Gold Medal: 24 Ducats (84 grams)
• Gold Medal, first class: 17 Ducats (63 grams)
• Gold Medal, second class: 8 Ducats (28 grams)
• Gold Medal, third class: 6 Ducats (21 grams)
• Silver Medal, first class: 35 grams
• Silver Medal, second class: 25 grams
• Silver Medal, third class: 20 grams

Type II medals:

• Large Gold Medal: 24 Ducats (84 grams)
• Gold Medal: 11 Ducats (42 grams)
• Large Silver Medal: 35 grams
• Silver Medal: 25 grams

Type III medals: Unknown

Size:

Type I medals:

• Large Gold Medal: 49 mm diameter
• Gold Medal, first class: 49 mm diameter
• Gold Medal, second class: 43 mm diameter
• Gold Medal, third class: 36 mm diameter
• Silver Medal, first class: 49 mm diameter
• Silver Medal, second class: 43 mm diameter

· Silver Medal, third class: 36 mm diameter

Type II Medals:

• Large Gold Medal: 49 mm diameter
• Gold Medal: 43 mm diameter
• Large Silver Medal: 49 mm diameter
• Silver Medal: 43 mm diameter

Type III Medals: Unknown

Type of Material: Gold and Silver

Variations: 

• Type I medal: As described above with the Type I obverse and Type I revers
• Type II medal: A medal with the Type II obverse and the Type II reverse featuring the Bohemian lion and the inscription FIDE ET LEGE. This is the medal that was issued for the coronation in Bohemia and Hungary.
• Type III medal: A medal with the Type II obverse and the Type III reverse featuring the Bohemian lion and the inscription PIETATE ET CONCORDIA.
• Type IV medal: As described above with the Type I obverse and the Type II reverse featuring the Bohemian lion and the inscription FIDE ET LEGE. This is the medal that was issued for the coronation in Bohemia and Hungary.
• Type V medal: As described above with the Type I obverse and the Type III reverse featuring the Bohemian lion and the inscription PIETATE ET CONCORDIA.

Designer: Johann Nepomuk Wirt

Manufacturer: Vienna Hauptmunzampt (Vienna Imperial Mint)

Number Issued: Unknown

Case: Unknown

Ribbon: a 39-40 mm wide carmine-red ribbon

Attachments: None

Miniature: Examples are known to exist

I hope you enjoyed this blog. Until next time, I hope you find joy in our shared interest.

Rick

By richard lussier on March 19, 2025   /   Austro-Hungarian   /   Leave a comment