Vatican. An Order of the Advocates of St. Peter, Commander's Star, c.1900

Avvocati di San Pietro). Instituted 1878. 1878-1909 issue. Likely of French manufacture, an eight-pointed multirayed star in silver, with obverse centre presenting a four-armed enameled white cross in silver gilt with ball finials, with silver gilded multiple rays in each quadrant, featuring a silver gilded figure of St. Peter surrounded by an enameled blue border with the inscription “AVVOCATI DI SAN PIETRO” (Advocates of St. Peter) in silver gilt, reverse with pin assembly, measuring 82.12 mm (w) x 83.34 mm (h), with minor lost of gilt and removed pin, fine.

Footnote: The Order of Advocates of St. Peter was established in 1878 as an association of Roman Catholic jurists, with the purpose of asserting and vindicating the rights and teaching of the Church and of the Holy See. The organization, which was blessed by Pius IX, received a signal mark of approbation from Leo XIII in 1878, when its constitution was approved in a papal brief. The Order was suppressed by Pope Pius X in 1909. 

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.