Spain, Napoleonic Kingdom. A Cross for Defenders of Gerona in Gold, Officer Cross, c.1816

(Distinción Gerona). Instituted 1810. Napoleonic War Period. A Gold red-enamelled Maltese Cross with delicate typical Spanish ball finials, featuring detailed Gold castles in each quadrant, suspending by a green-enamelled laurel wreath in Gold, a obverse centre in Gold with white enamels exhibiting a superposed Gold figure of Saint Narcissus surrounded by the inscription “Del Sitio de Gerona de 1809” (Siege of Gerona in 1809), reverse centre in Gold with white enamels depicting the inscription “La Patria al Valor y la Constancia” (The Fatherland to the Courage and the Constancy), measuring 29.70 mm (w) x 43.93 mm (h - inclusive of laurel wreath and integral ring), weighing 12.7 grams, missing enamels in both centre medallions and in the laurel wreath, accompanied by original ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The Cross for Defenders of Gerona was established in Spain by the General Council on September 14, 1810. It was awarded to those citizens, and soldiers, who participated in the defence of Gerona against a French siege in 1809. 

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.