Austria, Empire. An Iron Crown Order, I Class Star with War Decoration & Swords, by V.Mayer, c.1900

(Orden der Eisernen Krone, Stern der Ritter I. Klasse, mit Kriegsdekoration und Schwertern). Re-established in 1815. (Issued 1877-1918). An eight-pointed silver star with jewel-cut faceted rays, the obverse with a central Gold medallion with a sun-ray pattern depicting a miniature “Iron Crown” in Gold and multi-coloured enamels, surrounded by a broad ring of blue enamels, inscribed “AVITA ET AUCTA” (Inherit and Multiply) in Gold capital letters, with a laurel and oak bushel in Gold below, surrounded by a jewel-cut faceted Gold ring and silver ring, decorated by a silver gilt laurel wreath denoting war decoration and crossed swords, the reverse plain, with a vertical pinback and a functional hinge/catch assembly, marked “Vincent Mayer’s Söhne, Wien” on the reverse, measuring 92.46 mm (w) x 92.61 mm (h), weighing 99.6 grams, with the enamels extremely well preserved, in near mint condition. 

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.