Venezuela, Republic. An Order of the Liberator, III Class Commander, c.1940

(Orden del Libertador). Instituted 1880 by President Antonio Guzman Blanco. Type II. (1922- Issue). A silver gilt multiple-ray sunburst with dual rays at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, with conjoining bar between every ray creating an oval shape, centre obverse features a right facing bust of Simon Bolivar, in a blue enamel surround inscribed SIMON BOLIVAR, reverse center bears superimposed coat of arms on medallion, measures 40mm (w) x 51mm (h- inclusive of horizontally pierced integral ball), enamel flake to 12 o’clock blue surround, slight tarnishing to reverse seal, on original ribbon as worn, very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of the Liberator was instituted on September 14, 1880 and awarded for meritorious services to the country and the community. It comes in six grades: Collar, Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. This Order is often referred to as the Order of Bolivar or the Order of the Bust of Bolivar. 

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.