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Hello,

there are many types of good reproductions: the better known are those presently made by messrs. Horvth of Budapest: they're specialised with all types of pilot's badges and the higher austrian orders: the MMThO knight's cross, in my opinion is attarctive and of a cheap price.

The best copies, although much looked after from collectors are those made by Rothe & Neffe in Vienna: most of them were made with the original dies and finished with high standards. This firm is part of the past now, and the shop in Kohlmarkt doesn't exist anymore. I still remember, in the late '70s, when I used to go and visit them: there was always a good selection of both original and reproduced orders and the Lady was always kind and helpful: looking through my notes, a MMThO Knight costed 1.050,- Austrian Shilling, in gilt-silver, with an original triangular (or long) ribbon; 1.000,- Shilling for a cross with newly made ribbon.

Good old times...

Now, there are on the market copies of the collar chains of the Leopold; St. Stephen and Iron Crown Orders, that are sold as "Rothe-Copies" they are cheap casts of older "original" copies of Rothe, showing a dark, greysh patina on the gilding; the enamels are also poorly made.

Best wishes,

Enzo