History

The medal was instituted by Emperor Franz I to recognize meritorious service within administration and the maintenance of order within Dalmatia.

At the end of the First Coalition War, the Peace Treaty of Campo Formio of October 17 1797stated that Austria lost the ‘Austrian Netherlands’ (Belgium) but received instead Veneto and the surrounding land. Therefore the Kingdom of Dalmatia belonged to Austria, and this was acknowledged in the Peace Treaty of Luneville of February 9, 1801.

The silver medal was designed by Johan Nepomuk Wirt and presents the portrait of Emperor Franz II facing left on the obverse. The reverse presents the inscription DALMATAE BENE MERENTI (For meritorious service in Dalmatia) with the year MDCCCI below. It was worn on a red ribbon .

There is a gold medal in existence which belongs to the Coin Cabinet of Vienna’s Art History Museum. It is believed to be a custom-made piece.