WW1 Austrian Commemorative Medal 1914 – 1918 with Original Ribbon

Here on offer is an original WW1 Austrian commemorative medal with its original ribbon.

The Austrian Kreigserinnerungsmedaille (War Commemorative Medal) was created in 1932 for award to all who served in the First World War, including soldiers, civil servants and relief workers. In 1933 gilt crossed swords were added to the ribbons of medals awarded to those who served in combat, the wounded and former POWs.

Those who were eligible for the medal and wished to have one had to purchase it for 10 Schillings (15 schillings for non-citizens). Of the money collected, 99.3% went to war victims and veterans relief, while the other .7% went to royalty payments to the designer, Edwin Grienauer, a prominent Austrian sculptor and WWI veteran.

The front of the medal depicts an eagle perched on a shield bearing the coat of arms of the Austrian Republic. Below it are the words "FÜR ÖSTERREICH" (For Austria). On the back are the years “1914-1918” surrounded by an oak leaves.

It hangs from a traditional Austrian Style trifold silk ribbon in the national colours of Austria. The ribbon ring goes through a barrel type suspension at the top of the medal.

The reverse bears the name the designer, “GRIENAUER”, in small letters just inside the oak leaves near the bottom edge. These medals are made of a brass/copper alloy called Tombak.

A total of 161,675 of them were issued between April 1933 and March 1938, when the Nazis marched into Austria and production stopped.

This excellent example is without swords, so was issued to a non-combatant.

It has an aged patina to the finish and some light staining on the ribbon.


The full size medal is 36mm diameter.


Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Code: 50487