Circular gilt bronze medal with laterally-pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the Austrian eagle surmounting the arms of Austria, inscribed ‘FÜR ÖSTERREICH’ (for Austria) below; the reverse inscribed ‘1914-1918’ and signed ‘GRIENAUER’within a border of oak leaves; the gilding age-dimmed; on replaced correct trifold ribbon. It was not until 1932 that Austria awarded a medal to her participants in the Great War. The delay may be ascribed to the great loss of territory and population that Austria suffered as a result of the Treaty of Saint-Germain, a small republic emerging from a great empire. The year 1932 saw the suppression of a Socialist uprising in Vienna and the emergence of an authoritarian right-wing government. The timing of the issue of the medal, and the design of the face, may be seen as significant in this context. Edwin Grienauer (1893-1964) was a prolific and important Viennese designer of coins and medals. Condition I.
