Croatia, Independent State. An Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir, I Class with Swords, c.1941

(Red krune kralja Zvonimira). Instituted in 1941. 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 with crossed swords, 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), with elongated neck loop also featuring the wattle pattern, measuring 50.5 mm (w) x 51.5 mm (h), intact enamels, on its original military ribbon, with loss of gilt, remains near extremely fine.

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.