Norway, Kingdom. A Royal Order of St. Olav, Commander's Star, by I. Tostrup, c.1900

(Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden). Instituted on August 21, 1847. A fine ball-tipped Maltese Cross in diamond-cut silver, quadrants adorned by crowned cyphers "O" for St. Olav in silver gilt, with obverse centrepiece in Gold featuring a superposed royal Norwegian lion on a finely enameled red background, encircled by a blue and white enamel ring, as well as a Gold outsider ornamented border, the reverse with vertical pin assembly, marked by centre cartouche of I. Tostrup, Kristiania (now Oslo), principal Norwegian court jeweler, measuring 76.33 mm (w) x 76.99 mm (h), with general toned silver, extremely fine.

Footnote: Initially, this Order was only awarded to Royals (including foreign Royals), Heads of State and Foreign Nationals. In 1985, the Order began to be awarded to Norwegians and foreigners for outstanding achievements rendered to the country and humanity. Since its foundation, it has been the highest civilian honor conferred by the Norwegian government. In the order of precedence used at the royal court of Norway, bearers of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav with collar are ranked 15th in the order of precedence, directly after the Mistress of the Robes and generals and directly before recipients of the War Cross with Sword.

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.