Croatia, Independent State. An Order of King Zvonimir, 1st Class Grand Officer with Oak Leaves, by Braća Knaus, c.1941

(Red krune kralja Zvonimira). Instituted 1941. Neck badge of the order in bronze gilt, consisting of a stylized Croatian trefoil with white enamels, a cross formed in traditional Croatian wattle pattern, also known as the pleter or troplet, obverse centre presenting the Crown of Zvonimir with green enameled oak leaves (laurels), reverse presenting the date 1076 (Date of King Zvonimir's crowning), 1941 (Date of the establishment of the NDH), as well as motto BOG I HRVATI (God and the Croats), measuring 50.3 mm (w) x 51 mm (h), with elongated suspension loop also in a wattle pattern, on short period ribbon, extremely fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, a multirayed eight armed star in die stamped frosted silver, obverse centre in bronze gilt, consisting of a stylized Croatian trefoil with white enamels, a cross formed in traditional Croatian wattle pattern, also known as the pleter or troplet, obverse centre presenting the Crown of Zvonimir with a green enameled wreath, reverse with pin assembly, maker marked BK for Braća Knaus (Brothers Knaus, Zagreb) as well as silver hallmarked with a goose and Roman numeral ""III"" denoting .800 silver content, bent catch, otherwise near extremely fine. 

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.