Franz I Civil Honor Medal

Introduction: This medal, The Franz I Civil Honor Medal (Franz I Civil Ehrenmedaillen) was authorized by Franz I as a reward for deserving persons of both sexes whose status was not suitable for the award of an order of knighthood.

Date Issued: The medal was authorized on November 8, 1804, but may not have been issued until 1807 and continued to be issued until 1835

· First Issue, November 8, 1804-1813

· Second Issue, 1813-1835

Reason Issued: Soon after Emperor Franz I on August 11, 1804, had united his nation under the name “Imperial Austria “as a total monarchy, and assumed the title “Emperor of Austria” he established a gold and silver honor medal as a reward for deserving persons of both sexes whose status was not suitable for the award of an order of knighthood.

Classes or Types: 

First Issue, 1804-1813, (Type I)

· Gold Honor Medal

· Silver Honor Medal

Second Issue, 1813-1835 (Type II)

· Gold Honor Medal

· Silver Honor Medal

· Bronze Honor Medal (May not have been an official award)

Interesting Facts:

· Established at the same time as the Austrian Empire

· Commonly called the HONORI Medal

· The gold medal could be awarded on a chain of the same weight (40 Ducats: 140 grams) as the medal as a special sign of recognition

· The medal could be awarded retroactively

Hallmarks: None known

Design: A round medal with a raised rim and a slightly oval stylized eye attached to the top through which passes an oval suspension ring.

Obverse: A youthful bust of Emperor Franz I facing to the viewers right with long flowing hair and a laurel wreath at the temples. Around the bust is the inscription FRANCISCVS AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR. Translation: Franz Emperor of Austria. Under the bust is the signature of the medalist I.N.WIRT. F: Johann. Nepomuk Wirt (The F stands for fabrikat, (fabricated).

Reverse: The reverse of the medal has a raised rim and features the front of an ancient temple with six columns. Three columns are on each side of the imperial throne which is adorned by the imperial coat of arms: a double headed eagle and the Austrian Imperial (Rupert’s) crown. On the gable of the temple is a laurel wreath resting on palm fronds and on the architrave is a rectangular shape with the word HONORI (In Honor). Above the temple and following the contour of the medal is the inscription AVSTRIA AD IMPERII DIGNITATEM EVECTA. Translation: Austria raised to an empire. Below the temple is the date MDCCCIV (1804)

Weight:

First Issue, 1804 –1813

• Gold Honor Medal: 21–24 Ducats (77-86.4 grams)
• Silver Honor Medal: 41-45 grams

Second Issue, 1813 –1835

• Gold Honor Medal: 21–24 Ducats (77-86.4 grams)
• Silver Honor Medal: 41-45 grams
• Bronze Honor Medal: Unknown

Size: 

First Issue, 1804-1813, (Type I)

• Gold Honor Medal: 49-50 mm in diameter
• Silver Honor Medal: 50 mm in diameter

Second Issue, 1813-1827, (Type II)

• Gold Honor Medal: 50 mm in diameter
• Silver Honor Medal: 50 mm in diameter
• Bronze Honor Medal: 49 mm in diameter

Type of Material:

• First Issue, 1804 –1813: Gold and silver
• Second Issue, 1813 –1835: Gold, silver and bronze

Variations: 

· Type I issued from 1804 to 1813, As described above

· Type II, as described above except the obverse image of Emperor Franz I is aged and the inscription has changed to FRANC.I.AVST.IMP.HVN.BOH.LOMB.ET VEN.GAL.LOD.IL. REX. A.A Translation: Franz I Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Bohemia, Lombard, Venice, Galicia, Lodomerian (Poland), and Illyria. Under the bust is the name of a new medalist, HEUBERGER. The reverse is the same as Type I.

Designer:

· Type I: Johann. Nepomuk Wirt

· Type II: obverse Leopold Heuberger, reverse Johann Nepomuk Wirt

Manufacturer: Unknown

Number Issued: Unknown

Case: The case for the gold medal with chain is red leather with gold inscription on the lid and a pink silk inner liner. The bottom is fitted.

Ribbon:

• Gold Medals were awarded on gold double linked chains (mailed) which weighed 84 grams

· A strait 40 mm wide Carmen-red ribbon

Miniature: Known to exist, see example below

Known Recipients:

• Awarded in gold with chain to Andeas Hofer for defending the Tyrol against the French in 1809
• Awarded to Alexander Freiheer Von Helfert on gold with chain for defending the Tyrol against the French in 1809
• Awarded in 1819 to P. Johann Gottfield Dlabacz on gold with chain for creating an Artistic Dictionary

 

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

Rick

By richard lussier on May 21, 2025   /   Austro-Hungarian   /   Leave a comment