Netherlands, Kingdom. An Order of the Dutch Lion, I Class Knight Grand Cross, c.1910

(De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw). Instituted on 29 September 1815. 1906-1953 Issue. The badge consists of a gilt Maltese cross with white-enamelled arms and gilded ball-tips, with the monogram “W” for King William I between the arms of the cross, the obverse shows a blue medallion with gold borders and the legend “VIRTUS NOBILITAT” (“VIRTUE ENNOBLES”) and two small golden stars, the reverse presents a gilded Dutch Lion on a centre of blue enamel, surmounted by a Royal crown, measures 56.72 mm(w) x 87.55 mm (h - inclusive of crown), moderate enamel loss on cross arms, affixed to sash of dark blue with two orange stripes near the edges, and near very fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, obverse features the badge, as described above, affixed to an eight-pointed slightly rounded gilded star consisting of forty-eight, alternately scaled rays, all tied at the ends, the reverse presents a large principle pin assembly with Dutch import/duty mark "vreemd" for used imported objects between 1906 and 1953 on the pin and on the 12 o’clock ray reverse, measures 85.77 mm (w) x 84.99 mm (h), weighs 94.4 grams, and in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: This order is an order of civil merit awarded to those who “give proof of their patriotism, of loyalty and zeal in the execution of their civic duties or who gain special merits in sciences and arts.” Between 1815 to 1981, the Knights Grand Cross was awarded to 868 recipients. See H.G. Meijer, C.P. Mulder, and B.W. Wagenaar, Orders and Decorations of The Netherlands, Revised Edition (Amsterdam: Amsterdam Orders and Medals Research Society, 1984), 28.

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.