France, Colonial Somaliland. An Order Nichan El-Anouar, Grand Cross, by Halley, c.1890

(Arabic: Order of the Light). Instituted 1887 by Mahmed ben Mohammed Sultan of Tadjourah. A finely made star consisting of ten pointed star, each arm having been hand filed, with clusters of three rays as well as a star in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting a large silver star on blue enameled background, with red enamel surround containing gilt Arabic characters, reverse with ornate makers cartouche of Halley, Paris, also with markers mark on pin, hallmarked on pin and catch with boars head denoting French small silver guarantee post 1838, dual stays, measuring 83 mm (w) x 89 mm (h), with enamel loss, toned silver, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of Nichan El-Anouar was established in 1887, as a colonial order of merit of the Tajurah sultanate in French Somaliland (modern day Djibouti). It was instituted in 1887 by the Sultan of Tadjourah, Hamed-ben-Mohamed, to “perpetuate the happy moment when he and his people placed themselves under the protection of glorious France”. The Order became a French Colonial Order by the decrees of May 10th and 23rd, 1896 and on December 5, 1899. The Order became defunct on December 3, 1963. Tadjourah is a district of Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

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.