Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class, c.1870 Hold or the future President of

or the future President of the United States of America

the obverse bearing double-stamped inscriptions of “1

the BWM and the VM for his WWI service

presenting a double headed eagle

a prominent New York merchant

Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class, c.1870 Hold or the future President of(Militrverdienstkreuz III. Klasse). (1849 1914 issue). Civil Division. Constructed of silver, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with red and white enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a gilt inscription of VERDIENST (MERIT) within a ring of red enamel, the reverse with white enameled arms and centre, measuring 30. 9 mm (w) x 34. 3 mm (h), weighs 11. 57 grams including ribbon, unmarked, on loop for