Croatia, Independent State. An Order Of The Crown Of King Zvonimir, Ii Class Cross With Swords, C.1942

(Red krune kralja Zvonimira). Instituted on May 15, 1941. 1941-1945 issue. Military Division. In bronze gilt, a white enamel four armed Croatian Cross with ornamented arms and gilt edges, superposed by gilded crossed swords with an enameled white central medallion bearing the Croatia crown, reverse in white enamels with central pin assembly, the arms inscribed the years 1076 (King Zvonimir’s crowning) and 1941 (the establishment of the NDH), with central inscription BOG I HRVATI (God and the Croats), measuring 49.5 mm (w) x 51.39 mm (h), light contact and stained enamels on the reverse, unmarked however exhibiting the manufacturing characteristics of Braca-Knaus, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir was created in 1941 ‘to serve as a visible sign of decoration for merit in peace or wartime in the service of the Croatian nation and the Independent State of Croatia’. It could be awarded to foreign nationals and, in the event, Germans were the largest group of such recipients. Due to the Order was awarded until May 1945, it is relative rare. The Independent State of Croatia (Nezavisna Država Hrvatsk - NDH) was established in April 1941 following the invasion of Yugoslavia by German and Italian forces. 

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.