The Order of Leopold was founded on January 8, 1808, in celebration of the weeding of Emperor Franz I. to his 3rd wife Maria Ludovika Beatrix Duchess of Modena. On July 14 of the same year the finalized design of the order was finally published, and first decorations were finally awarded on January 7, 1809. The order could be awarded to military and civil persons despite their social status. The order consisted of 3 classes, Grand Cross, Commander and Knight Cross. Citizens would wear the grand cross on a collar.

Here a knight cross in gold and enamel. The cross shows markings on the crown ribbons as follows: “F.R.” for the manufacturer F. Rothe in Vienna as well as the chamois mark with the number 3 for 750/1000 gold content used from 1867-1872. The canneled ring show two further marks, "F.R." for F. Rothe and an unidentifiable mark. This 3rd type knights cross is in near mint condition and is still attached to the originally sewn on trifold ribbon. One minor surface chip at 9 o'clock in the avers medaillion ring.

Only 1099 knight crosses were awarded from 1848 - 1916. Most of them towards the 1900 and beyond.

Beautiful and rare example from around 1870.