Iran, Qajar Dynasty. An Order of the Crown, III Class Officer, by A.Bertrand, c.1920

(Nishan-i-Taj). Instituted 1913 by Shah Ahmad Shah Qajar (1332 AH). Of French manufacture in silver gilt, consisting of a five armed Maltese Cross with white enamels, green boarders, and ball finials, clusters of three individual rays in each quadrant, obverse centre featuring a silver gilt Iranian Crown with enameled jewels on a blue enameled field and laurel surround, reverse centre featuring silver gilt sun iconography on blue enamel, suspension composed of arcing laurels in green enamel, hallmarked on integral ring with Dutch import/duty mark "vreemd" for used imported objects between 1906 and 1953, measuring 45 mm (w) x 63.5 mm (h - inclusive of laurels with horizontally pierced ball suspension), on original officer ribbon with rosette, minor enamel loss, 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.