Itävalta - Mitali - Order Of Saint Stephen of Hungary, II Class Commander

Order of Saint Stephen (German: Sankt-Stephans-Orden, Hungarian: Szent István rend), Grand Cross. Gilt, very fine quality, intact enamels. 57 x 52 mm, not including the crown suspension. Excellent quality example in near mint condition. Post-1918 collector's copy, or more likely wearable copy (orders of merit have a so-called wearable copy made of gilded silver or bronze, which the owners acquired at their own expense in order to spare the donated medals).

This Order was established by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to honour Hungarian nobility who had rendered substantial civil service. The official date of foundation was May 5, 1764, in line with the coronation ceremonies of Archduke Joseph being crowned King of the Romans.

The Order was awarded for extraordinary civil services to the ruling house and to the state (however, high ranking military officials were often awarded this Order). The Grand Master position was to be held by each successive Hungarian Monarch, the first being Maria Theresa, followed by Emperor Joseph II. It was awarded in three classes with a fixed number of companions: the Grand Cross (20), the Commander’s Cross (30) and the Knight’s Cross (50).

In 1938, the Order of Saint Stephen was revived by Regent Admiral Miklós Horthy in the Kingdom of Hungary. It was awarded a few times and finally dissolved in 1944.

Reference: https://www.medalbook.com/europe/austria/austria-imperial/orders/order-of-st-stephen/type-iii-(1880-1918)/order-of-st--stephen-type-iii-grand-cross-1/order-of-st--stephen-type-ii-grand-cross-(by-rothe-c--1910)-2

Will be carefully packaged and shipped with Track & Trace.