Zivil-Verdienstmedaille

The Civil Merit Medal (Zivil-Verdienstmedaille), also called the “Civil Signum Laudis”, was instituted on 30 April 1918 by Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary, “so that all those civilian officials and other persons of civilian status who, in recognition of meritorious service, had been informed of the expression of the Highest Recognition or satisfaction might also partake of a visible sign of this Highest act of grace”.

The round medal depicts the founder in uniform, facing left. Around the edge is the inscription CAROLVS·D·G·IMP·AVST·REX BOH·ETC·ET H·N·IV·REX APOST·HVNG. On the reverse, surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves on the left and oak leaves on the right, are the words SIGNUM LAVDIS (Latin for “sign of praise”).

For “special Highest Recognition” the medal is gilded; for “Highest Recognition or satisfaction” it is silver-plated.

The decoration was worn on the left breast, suspended from a red triangular ribbon with a white central stripe. For repeated awards, one or two silver bars were added to the order ribbon.

The Civil Merit Medal was the last decoration instituted by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.