Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Crown of Italy, V Class Knight with Miniature, Cased

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. Fullsize: in 18K Gold with red, white, green, blue and black enamels, weighing 7.8 grams, measuring 36 mm in diameter, original ribbon; and Miniature: in 18K Gold with blue, white, red and black enamels, weighing .8 grams, measuring 12.3 mm in diameter, original ribbon. Both with intact enamels, extremely fine. Accompanied by their bow-tied ribbon rosette with button hole attachment, in their hardshelled case of issue, dimpled exterior, cypher of King Victor Emmanuel III on the lid, inside lid in white cloth, padded and maker marked "E. GARDINO SUCC. D. CRAVANZOLA GIOIELLIERE ROMA", base with a recessed medal bed in black felt, measuring 91.7 mm (w) x 126.8 mm (h) x 21.7 mm (d), scuff marks evident on the lid and bottom, case near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946.