Italy, Napoleonic Kingdom. An Order of the Iron Crown, Type II, c.1855

(Ordine della Corona Ferrea). Instituted June 5, 1805, by Napoleon Bonaparte under his title of King Napoleon I of Italy. Type II (1809 -1814). Italian Version. A toned left facing late Empire Imperial eagle (1812-1814) with highly detailed feathers and wings, with Gold medallion Napoleon-head is a right-facing variety (Type II, 1st variety), with clear enameled crown tipped with ball finials, Motto in Italian thereby denoting the nationality of the holder, DIO ME LA DIEDE - GUARDA CHI LA TOCCA, although mounted with a smooth ring such as later Bacqueville variants, the quality of the award far exceeds typical Bacqueville examples, measuring 21 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), with a Second Empire period silk ribbon, with modest enamel loss and cracking, very fine and rare.

Footnote: Likely of private French manufacture c.1855 with a known mistranslation in Italian motto. In the Léon Bourdier Collection in Brussels, appears a similar example/decoration of the First Empire, Italian manufacture, Type II with the motto: DIO ME LA DIEDE - GUARDA CHI LA TOCCA

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.