(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868 by Victor Emmanuel II. A Commander in 18k Gold, featuring a white enamel crossed with Savoy knots in each quadrant, the obverse medallion features a Lombardy crown with enamel details on a blue enamel field, the reverse features a black enamel eagle with white and red enamel cross on its chest, measures 50.3mm (w) x 52.7mm (h), weighs 24.5 grams (including ribbon), worn on a full length neck ribbon which has been split and stitched to accommodate the gold suspension loop, the enamels show scratches on the obverse and reverse, otherwise in very fine condition.
Footnote: The Order was founded by Victor Emmanuel II to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was the first national Order instituted after the unification of the Kingdom of Italy. It was officially suppressed after the fall of the Monarchy in 1946, yet King Umberto II awarded it as a House Order until his death in 1983. The Commander grade was restricted to 500 recipients.