Austria, Imperial. An Imperial Order of the Iron Crown, I Class Badge, with War Decoration & Swords, by C. F. Rothe, c.1917

(Orden der Eisernen Krone 1. Klasse). Instituted on 7 April 1815 by Emperor Franz I. Type 3. (1914-1918 Issue). A sash badge constructed of gilded bronze, consists of the Lombard Iron Crown presenting green, red and white-enamelled jewels, on which rests the two-headed Austrian eagle with sword and orb, with a blue enamelled central shield showing on the obverse the imperial initial F, flanked green-enamelled laurel branches, on the shield’s reverse the year 1815, above rests the imperial crown firmly attached to the double-headed eagle, presenting star hallmark indicating gilded bronze, maker marked with C. R. ROTHE on loop, with privately added swords soldered to the pendilia of the crown, measuring 45.21 mm (w) x 82.80 mm (h - inclusive of crown), weighing 36.7 grams, with mid 20th century sash ribbon, and in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: By the end of 1917 (taking into account only awards from 1914-17), the number of members of the order alive at a given time was 126 Austrian/Hungarians and 119 foreigners. See, M. Christian Ortner and Georg Ludwigstorff, Austrian Orders and Decorations, Part 1/Volume 2: The Imperial-Royal Orders up to 1918 (Verlag Militaria, 2017), 162.

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.