Slovakia. An Order of the War Victory Cross, 3rd Class Badge

c. 1942. Silver and blue enamel Slovak (patriarchal) cross, the blue enamel decorated with linden leaves, with rays between the arms; the face with gilt linden sprays imposed on the rays between the lateral arms; the reverse plain with pin for wear; height 51.8mm (2 inches), width 36.47mm (1.43 inches); slight surface scratches, age oxidisation and toning. The War Victory Cross was instituted on 11 September 1939 by the Nazi-German-backed government of the Independent State of Slovakia in three classes and amended in 1942 and 1943 in five classes and three medals. The Order is unusual in that the colour of the enamel indicates the class of the award, red being used for the I and II classes of the order, blue for the III. It was Slovakia’s third highest award, granted for military leadership. In all, some 3.769 awards of all classes were made, of which 437 were to members of the German armed forces and 142 to those of Romania. The Order is rare in all classes.

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.