[Oostenrijk], penning Slag bij Folgaria, 1916

[Oostenrijk], Penning m.b.t. tot de Slag bij Folgaria (Zuid-Tirol) tegen Italië gedurende de Eerste Wereldoorlog en op de verlening van het Grootkruis der Maria-Theresia-orde aan Keizer Karl I (1916-1919), 1916. Vz: Rechtsgewend portret van Karl I; omschrift: 'Carolus Imp et Rex'. Kz: Ordeteken, staand zwaard en eikenloof. Omschrift: 'Folgaria  XV MAI MCMXVI'. Ontwerp H. Kautsch. Brons, 65 mm. (Verkocht)

ÖSTERREICH (- Habsburg)  Karl I. 1916-1919. AE-Medaille (65mm) von H. Kautsch. Anläßlich der Verleihung des Großkreuzes des Maria-Theresia-Ordens zur Schlacht von Folgaria (Südtirol) an den Thronfolger. (Wurzb:4303) (Verkauft)

The  Military Maria Theresia Order Folgaria Commemoration Medal (Militär-Maria Theresien Orden Folgaria Erinnerungsmedaille) was authorized on May 15, 1916 to commemorate the Austrian Punitive Expedition at Folgaria. In November 1916 Emperor Karl I assumed the throne in Austria. As emperor he automatically became the Chancellor of the Military Order of Maria Theresia. He was also by statute and tradition entitled to wear the Grand Cross of all orders and the 1^st class of all decorations.  However he was reluctant to wear the grand cross of the Military Maria Theresia Order in time of war without having done anything to earn the award. In December when he assumed supreme command of the army he made an inquiry of its leadership and that of the Navy as to whether they thought it appropriate for him to wear the Grand Cross of the Maria Theresia Order. They apparently advised him that his leadership during the Austrian counteroffensive in the Asiago in May 15, 1916 met the requirement for him to honorably wear the order. As a result the Military Maria Theresia Order Folgaria Commemoration Medal was issued to celebrate this victory but also to mark the success of the emperor. Obverse: The bust of Emperor Karl I wearing a Field Marshals uniform with the Order of the Golden Fleece. Around the top edge of the medal in front and behind the bust of the emperor is the inscription: .CAROLVS. . IMP. ET. REX. (Charles Emperor and King) Reverse:  A wreath composed of oak laurel boughs crossed at the bottom. Vertically superimposed on the wreath is an unsheathed sword. The sword has a ribbon wrapped around the upper portion of the blade and the grand cross star of the Order of Maria Theresia with war decoration superimposed over the center of the blade. There is a fine ring forming a border within the edge of the medal that is so placed that some of the leaves of the wreath and the ends of the sword pass over it. There is an inscription placed between this ring and the edge of the medal. It reads FOLGARIA at the top of the medal below which is XV MAI MCMXVI. (Folgaria May 15, 1916). Near the 3 o’clock position on the reverse of the medal is the name of the engraver: Heinrich Kautsch.(sold)