Annam, French Protectorate. An Imperial Order of the Dragon, Grand Cross Star, by A. Chobillon, c.1900

(Ordre Impérial du Dragon d'Annam). Instituted 1886. 1886-1945 Issue. Of French manufacture, consisting of a large and multirayed star in silver, obverse centre featuring a hand painted silver dragon holding a silver gilt central medallion of blue and red enamels bearing the legend ""HOÀNG ĐẾ ĐỒNG KHÁNH"" ('Emperor Đồng Khánh') in stylised characters, reverse with pin assembly and dual stays, featuring maker’s mark of Adrien Chaubillon, Paris and denoting .950 silver purity, measuring 99.06 mm (w) x 98.96 mm (h), with loss of enamels and toned silver on the tips, fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Dragon of Annam was instituted by Emperor Dong Khanh on March 14, 1886. It was founded as a military and civil order of merit conferred upon Vietnamese, French and foreign nationals who have performed useful services to the state or the Emperor. The Order became obsolete after 1945.

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.