This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
Instituted 1936. A silver cross in the shape of four pillars with four rectangles at each end, with a smooth gilt ray between each pillar presenting a white enamel circle at the rays’ end, and two smaller white enamel circles on either side of the base, on scroll suspension, obverse center presents a yellow enamelled octagon with concentric black, white, blue and red enamel rings, the exterior ring of white enamel with silver gilt dots, reverse center bears Japanese script meaning ‘Order of Merit Decoration’, unmarked, measures 40mm (w) x 44mm (h - inclusive of integral suspension bar), dark patina, evident gilt wear on rays, enamels fully intact, on replacement ribbon, very fine condition.
Footnote: The Order of the Pillars of the State was awarded between 1936 and 1945. The VI, VII and VIII Class are determined by the number and styles of bars. As there are no bars on this version, it is impossible to identify the class. Between 1936 and 1945, the VI Class was awarded 9,561 times, the VII Class was awarded 25,640 times and the VIII Class, 62,691 times.
This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.