#3 • Austrian Order of the Iron Crown-3rd Class

Part of British & World Medals (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $600.00

Status: Sold

Austrian Order of the Iron Crown-3rd Class Cased Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd class with swords. Medal in fine condition and housed in early 20th century case. Estimate: $400-600 Historical Background: The Order of the Iron Crown was originally founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805 for the Kingdom of Italy. After the fall of the Napoleonic kingdom, the order was reestablished under Austrian rule by Emperor Francis I in 1816. This Austrian incarnation was a distinguished dynastic order of merit, bestowed upon individuals for exceptional service to the state and sovereign. It was divided into three classes, with the third class being the lowest rank of the order. The Third Class of the Order of the Iron Crown held significant distinction, particularly because it conferred automatic hereditary ennoblement until 1884. Specifically, recipients of the Third Class were granted the rank of Ritter. Knights of the order would typically wear a military-style medal on the left chest. The insignia for the order often featured the Iron Crown of Lombardy at its center, referencing the ancient crown used in the coronation of Italian kings.