Dominican Republic, Rafael Trujillo’s Period. A Merit Order Of Juan Pablo Duarte, Civil Merit, Commander, C.1945

(Orden del Mérito Juan Pablo Duarte). Instituted 1931. Type I, 1931-1954 issue. Civil Merit. A silver Pateé cross with ball finials and white enameled arms with blue stripes, displaying five sharp-pointed silver rays in each quadrant, with silver gilt obverse centre with white enamels exhibiting superposed figure of Juan Pablo Duarte surrounded by the inscription JUAN PABLO DUARTE-HONOR Y MERITO (Juan Pablo Duarte - Honor and Merit), enameled white reverse centre in silver gilt featuring a silver gilded coat of arm of Dominican Republic, suspended by beautiful laurel wreath in silver, hallmarked with Dutch import silver hallmark of fineness .835 since 1953, measuring 55.33 mm (w) x 86.76 mm (h - inclusive of laurel wreath and integral ring), presenting minor stained enamels, accompanied by original of time period ribbon, near to extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella (Orden al Mérito de Duarte, Sánchez y Mella) is the principal order of the Dominican Republic. It was established on February 24, 1931 as the Juan Pablo Duarte Order of Merit and renamed on September 9, 1954. The Head of State confers the order, both to civilians and military personnel for distinguished services. 

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.