Italian States, Kingdom Of The Two Sicilies. A Royal Order Of Francis I In Gold, Ii Class Knight, By Rothe, C.1875

(Reale Ordine di Francesco I). Instituted 1829. Issued 1829-1859. A white-enamelled eight-pointed star in Gold, featuring Gold detailed fleur-de-lis in each quadrant, with a Gold obverse centre exhibiting an engraved cyphre of Francis I, surrounded by a green-enamelled laurel wreath and a finely blue-enamelled border with the inscription “De Rege Optime Merito”, reverse centre in Gold with a blue-enamelled inscription “Franciscusi Instituit MDCCCXXIX” surrounded by a wide green-enamelled laurel wreath, ring suspension with maker’s mark FR for Rothe, as well as an Austro-hungarian Empire imported gold hallmark, and a 600 gold content mark, measuring 39.30 mm (w) x 53.07 mm (h - inclusive of ring suspension) weighting 16.2 g, accompanied by classic Austrian triangular ribbon, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order was founded as a civil award by Francis I, King of the Two Sicilies. It was primarily conferred to recognize meritorious civil services within the realms of culture, agriculture, science, commerce, and art. Later, the Order was amended to also reward meritorious service within the military.

Following the unification of Italy in 1860, the Order was officially discontinued. Unofficially, the Order was continued by the exiled King Francis II until his successor stopped the conferral of the Order in 1934. 

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.