Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit In Gold With Case, By V. Mayers Söhne, Ca. 1908 Auction marked "900" silver and maker

marked "900" silver and maker marked "PICHL" on the reverse

The best guess is that these were awarded by some authority during the strange period of the Coalition Government of 1957

yet every source lists his first name as “Sylvester”

1955 and continued his education

Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit In Gold With Case, By V. Mayers Söhne, Ca. 1908 Auction marked "900" silver and maker(Goldenes Verdienstkreuz mit Etui). Instituted 16 February 1850. (1850 1918 issue). Constructed of 18 kt. Gold with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with red enameled arms and a Gold frame, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a central Gold monogram of Franz Joseph I, circumscribed by an inscription of VIRIBUS UNITIS (UNITED FORCES), the reverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a Gold date of