Fake Orders of Saint Stephen of Hungary made by Rothe, Wien

Original breast star of the order of Saint Stephen https://asiamedals.info/threads/ord...f-hungary-made-by-cf-rothe-nephew-wien.30325/.

"Classical" fakes /a.k.a. "collectors copy"/ made by Rothe.

1st variation.

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 88 mm.

Pin is identical to these https://asiamedals.info/threads/ord...rothe-cf-rothe-nephew-wien.25600/#post-355832 ; https://asiamedals.info/threads/fake-orders-of-the-iron-crown-made-by-rothe-wien.30048/#post-371837, etc.

Marks.

 

2nd variation.

Base and medallion are similar (if not identical) to the previous breast star but pin of different type and new set of fake marks.

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 86 mm.

Marked with "FR" for Rothe, Austrian silver hallmark for small items (that was introduced in 1872) "dog with 3 and A", where 3=800/1000 fineness and A = Vienne; pin marked with two control marks "A" of a Vienne assay office.

Fake vs. original Wien silver hallmark.

 

3rd variation.

Diamond-cut fake breast star made by Rothe with a more pronounced guilloché of central medallion and different (much lower) quality "helmet form of the hill".

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 86.5 mm.

Surreal selection of fake "marks". You see, these small marks "A" were used for smaller components of jewelry objects when the "large" hallmark couldn't be struck because of the smallness of these components /in such case "large" hallmark has to be placed only on the main part of the object/.

 

Fake breast star of 1st variation made by Rothe with a different set of marks.

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 86 mm.

Breast star identical to this specimen https://asiamedals.info/threads/fak...hungary-made-by-rothe-wien.29217/#post-368557.

Marks. Note additional "900".

 

4th variation "Unique breast star with War Decoration and Swords".

Recipe: fake breast star of 2nd variation + standard Rothe-made fake War Decoration wreath https://asiamedals.info/threads/fake-orders-of-the-iron-crown-made-by-rothe-wien.30048/#post-372554 and no less standard Rothe-made fake swords https://asiamedals.info/threads/fake-orders-of-the-iron-crown-made-by-rothe-wien.30048/#post-371906.

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.

Allegedly Erzherzog Joseph Francis of Austria was awarded at the end of October 1918 /according to his own his memoirs/ the War Decoration and the Swords to his Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen. Naturally Order of Saint Stephen was awarded only and only for civil merit and no additional military decorations were ever officially instituted. This fake is trying to impersonate this unique never officially awarded /allegedly privately-comissioned by Erzherzog/ on-the-verge-of-fantasy breast star.​

 

5th variation "protective pads".

Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 95 x 90 mm.

Base of the star and its pin (!) marked with a fake Vienna silver hallmark "head of Diana to the right, 3, A, in a 5-petal shield". Pin also marked with "C•F•Rothe" and "Wien".

Lower quality medallion.

 

Another example of 5th variation with different set of fake marks.

 

Fake Grand Cross set with breast star of 5th variation made by Rothe. Collection of National Museum of American History /it was donated to the Museum collection by the late Frederick W. MacKay/.

Grand Cross.
Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 89.4 x 48.5 mm.

Breast star.
Silver, gold, gilt, enamel.
Size 92.8 x 92.3 mm.

Pin marked with "C•F•Rothe" and "Wien".

 

6th variation "combo".

This variation of Rothe-made fake breast star combines the features of 3rd and 5th variations.

Silver, gilt, enamel.

Unmarked.

 

Another example of 6th variations.

Silver, gilt, enamel.
Size 85.5 mm.

Unmarked.