Saxony, Kingdom. An Albrecht Order in Gold, Commander, by G.A. Scharffenberg, c.1910

(Albrechts-Orden). Instituted 31 December 1850 by King Friedrich August II. Second Model 1876-1918 “Young Portrait Type.” (1876-1918). A Gold Latin cross with white-enamelled arms, with a green-enamelled oak and red fruit wreath, the obverse centre shows a central white-enamelled medallion depicting a right-facing bust of Duke Albrecht, surrounded by a blue-enamelled ring inscribed “ALBERTUS ANIMOUS” (“ALBERT THE BOLD”), along with arabesques towards the bottom of the ring, the reverse presents a white-enamelled central medallion depicting the Saxon coat of arms, surrounded by a blue enamelled ring with arabesques at the top and “1850” at the bottom in gilt, measures 53.34 mm (w) x 92.50 mm (h - inclusive of crown), suspended from a hollow swivel crown on a broad loop for suspension from a period original neck ribbon, and in extremely fine condition. Accompanied by the Breast Star, a 32-pointed, multi-rayed, gilded silver star, the centre obverse in white enamel featuring the golden, right-facing head of Duke Albrecht, surrounded by a narrow golden bordered light blue enamelled ring with the golden inlaid inscription “ALBERTUS ANIMOSUS” (“Albert the Bold”), bottom completed with two golden arabesques, separated by a small six-pointed golden star, the reverse centre presents the Kingdom of Saxony coat of arms, bordered by the maker’s inscription “G.A. Scharffenberg, Dresden - Goldarbeiter F.D.K.S. Ordenscanz,” with a vertical banjo-style pin with a barrel hinge and a broad wire catch, measuring 87.40 mm (w) x 87.71 mm (h), weighing 64.2 grams, and in extremely fine condition.

Footnote:The Abrecht Order Commander’s Cross was awarded to 3,059 recipients. See, Jörg Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen Bis 1945: Sachsen-Württemberg I (München: Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde, 1999), 1241. 

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.