Saxe-Gotha/Altenburg Ernestine. A House Order Knight’s Cross Second Class with Swords

A fine quality manufacture 1864-1935 Issue Saxe-Gotha/Altenburg Ernestine House Order Knight’s Cross Second Class with Swords (Sachse-Ernestinische Hausorden Ritterkreuz II Klasse mit Schwerter); silver Maltese cross with white enameled arms, ball finals, as well as lions and swords between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a silver gilt center medallion, depicting a leftward facing bust of Ernst the Pious, surrounded by a light blue enameled ring, inscribed “Fideliter & Constanter” (Latin - Faithful and Steadfast) in golden lettering, with a green enameled ring around the outer edge; the reverse with the standard motif for this award within a central medallion, surrounded by a blue enameled ring, inscribed “D. 25. Dezember, 1833” in golden lettering, with a green enameled ring around the outer edge; suspended from a swivel crown suspension; with a horizontally-pierced ball and ring suspension; with its period original ribbon; measuring 45.15 mm x 68.67 mm; weighing 29.0 grams; with the enamels extremely well preserved; in extremely fine condition.

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.