Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross First Class, with Second Class War Decoration, by R. Marschall

1914-1918 Issue. (Militärverdienstkreuz I. Grades mit Kriegsdekoration II. Grades). A silver cross pattee with red and white enameled arms; the obverse with a central white enameled medallion, inscribed “Verdienst” in gold capital letters, surrounded by a ring of red enamels; with a green enameled laurel wreath surrounding the central medallion - symbolic of the second class war decoration; the reverse plain, with a vertical pinback (marked “A” for Vienna manufacture) and a functional hinge/catch assembly; marked “R. Marschall” with the addition of a small raised six-pointed star on the reverse; measuring 61.43 mm (w) x 61.93 mm (h); weighing 80.8 grams; the enamels of the nine o’clock arm with light to moderate flaking, but otherwise fully intact; in overall 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.