The Austro-Hungarian "Military Medal" of the sample of 1873

The original medal is in very good condition. Bronze, stamping. The obverse of the medal depicts the profile of Emperor Franz Joseph I, turned to the right. Around the image is the inscription "FRANZ JOSEPH I. KAISER V. ÖSTERREICH, KÖNIG V. BÖHMEN ETC. APOST. KÖNIG V. UNGARN" ( "FRANZ JOSEPH I. THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA, THE KING OF BOHEMIA, ETC. APOSTOLIC KING OF HUNGARY"). On the reverse side there is a wreath of laurel (left) and oak (right) branches, open from above, inside which is a three-part inscription "2. DECEMBER 1873" ("DECEMBER 2, 1873"). The award was worn on a triangular ribbon on the left side of the chest. The ribbon is yellow—black with horizontal stripes, bordered on each side by black and yellow side stripes. Guarantee of authenticity.

The Military Medal (German: Kriegsmedaille) is a military award of Austria-Hungary. The medal was established on December 2, 1873 by Emperor Franz Joseph I to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his reign. The medal could be awarded to all military personnel of Austria-Hungary who participated in one or more military campaigns in 1848, 1849, 1859, 1864, 1866, 1869, 1878, 1882 years, as well as in military operations during the Chinese Boxer Rebellion of 1900-1901. The military medal was made of bronze and had the shape of a regular circle. During the First World War, the medal was not awarded.