Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy in Gold, Officer in Case, c. 1900

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. In 18K Gold with with red, white, blue, green and black enamels, weighing 7.7 grams, measuring 36 mm (w) x 38.8 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, large rosette on its original frayed ribbon, near mint. In its hardshelled case of issue, cypher of King Umberto I (reign 1878-1900) on the lid, the inside and base lined in red satin, raised platform with a deep purple velvet medal bed, soiling and wear evident on the exterior, the base slightly warped but the push release remains operative, case fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946.