Belgium, Kingdom. A Lot Of Three Belgian Awards

Veteran's Cross 1870-1871 (silver, 28.8 mm (w) x 46.7 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, replacement ribbon); Commemorative Medal of the Reign of Leopold II 1865-1905 (bronze gilt, 31.5 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) inclusive of its ball suspension, original ribbon); and Queen Elisabeth Medal 1914-1916 (bronze, 36 mm (w) x 45.8 mm (h), original ribbon). Ranging from very fine to near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Veteran's Cross of 1870-1871 was awarded to veterans of the army mobilization, including those who disarmed and interned French troops fleeing from defeat at Sédan. Napoleon III intended to incorporate Belgium into France at a future date. The draft, probably leaked by the Prussians to undermine the French position, was published in The Times newspaper just before the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. Belgium’s response was to mobilize her army and place it on a war footing, with the British government guaranteeing Belgian sovereignty. The Commemorative Medal of the Reign of Leopold II 1865-1905 was instituted on July 21, 1905, to mark the fortieth year of the reign of King Leopold II and was awarded to long-serving public servants. The Queen Elisabeth Medal was created by royal decree in October 1916, to recognize exceptional services to Belgium in the relief of the suffering of its citizens during the First World War. Its statute was ratified on May 14, 1919, the medal awarded to people, both Belgians and foreign nationals, who, like Queen Elisabeth herself, had worked and cared for the suffering victims of war for a year or more prior to September 10, 1919.

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.