Japan, Empire. An Order of the Sacred Crown, IV Class, c.1910

(宝冠章 Hōkan-shō). Instituted on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. A silver gilt oval medallion with clusters of three enameled cherry blossoms forming the four points of a star, obverse centre presenting a silver gilt ancient Japanese Imperial Crown on a blue enamel background, with a red enameled surround with finely enameled stocks and a dual pearl border, with a characteristic and unique to the class purple flower blossom laurel suspension, measuring 44 mm (w) x 71 mm (h - inclusive of laurel suspension as well as horizontally pierced ball), with light enamel wear, loss of twenty one pearls, without bow ribbon, otherwise very 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.