Cross of Merit (Austria-Hungary)

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Cross of Merit (Austria-Hungary)
Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown on the red (civilian) ribbon
Description	Golden Cross of Merit with the Crown Golden Cross of Merit Silver Cross of Merit with the Crown Silver Cross of Merit Iron Cross of Merit with the Crown Iron Cross of Merit
Country	Austria-Hungary
Status	No longer awarded
Established	16 Februar 1850
| Ribbons with which the medals could be awarded
Precedence
Next (higher)	Gold Bravery Medal for Enlisted Men
Next (lower)	Karl Troop Cross

The Cross of Merit (German: Verdienstkreuz) (Hungarian: Érdemkereszt) was a military and civil decoration of Austria-Hungary established 16 Februar 1850. Emperor Franz Josef awarded the cross "to reward loyal and actively proven devotion to Emperor and Fatherland, many years of acknowledged beneficial use in public service or other merits earned for the general good".