This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur). Instituted 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. (1870-1951 Issue). A five-point silver maltese cross with white enamel arms with ball finials, green and red enamel laurels in each quadrant, suspended by green enameled wreath, obverse centerpiece in Gold, surrounded by blue enameled ring inscribed REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE 1870, reverse centerpiece presents crossed flags in Gold with red, white and blue enamels, surrounded by a blue enameled ring inscribed HONNEUR ET PATRIE (Honour and Fatherland), assay mark of a boar’s head on tip of the ribbon on reverse denoting .800 fineness and Paris manufacture post 1838, measuring 62 mm (w) x 89 mm (h - inclusive of wreath suspension and horizontally pierced ball), with light contact to white enamel arms, ball finial at 10 o’clock bent upwards, on original commander’s ribbon, extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order's motto is "Honneur et Patrie" ("Honour and Fatherland") and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).
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.