Croatia, Independent State. An Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir, II Class Commander with Oak Leaves, c.1941

(Red krune kralja Zvonimira). Instituted in 1941. Oakleaves were awarded for Gallantry in action against the enemy. In bronze gilt with white enamels, unmarked but known to have been manufactured by Braca Knaus of Zagreb, consisting of a stylized Croatian Trefoil cross, featuring an inlaid traditional national wattle pattern, (known as the pleter or troplet), obverse centre illustrating the Crown of Zvonimir framed by two branches of oak leaves forming an open-ended wreath, reverse inscribed with the dates "1076" (Date of King Zvonimir's Coronation) and "1941" (Date of the establishment of the NDH), flanking the motto "BOG I HRVATI" (God and the Croats), measuring 49 mm (w) x 51 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir was order awarded by the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). It is established as a "visible sign of decoration for merits done, in peace or in war, for Croatian people and Independent State of Croatia". It was established by Croatian leader Ante Pavelić on May 15, 1941. The bearers of the grand order and first class order were given the title of knight (vitez). The obverse is inscribed "Bog i Hrvati" (God and Croats), while the reverse is inscribed with the year of King Zvonimir's crowning, "1076" and the year of the establishment of the NDH, "1941".