The Austrian Cross of Merit with silver crown (version in use from 1860 to 1916) The medal was established by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria in 1849 to reward acts of merit true home operated by the military and civilians. It was considered a sign of merit of exclusive concession of the Emperor and then sign his personal merit. The cross model 1867, used until 1890, consisted of a cross license a gilded bronze / silver with the arms enamelled glass of red and edged with gold, having a central medallion of white enamel and trimmed in gold / silver bearing on right the initials "FJ" ("Franz Joseph") surrounded by a circular frame with the motto of the house of Habsburg "VIRIBUS UNITIS", whose letters are alternating circles. On the back of the cross the central disc bears the date of commencement of the reign of Franz Joseph, "1849". All depending on the degree could be surmounted by the imperial crown in gilded bronze / silver and enamels.