France. An Order Of Military Merit For Protestant Officer's, Knight, C.1800

Mérite militaire. In gold, with while bordered enameled arms, red, blue and green enameled centre pieces with noticeably absent King Louis, hallmarked on 10 o`clock fleur-de-lis with left facing rams head, (This French hallmark was used from August 16, 1819 to May 9, 1938. Finding this mark indicates the item has tested with limited warranty by touchstone to be a minimum of 750/18kt gold. Origin of the mark is Paris, France), measuring 36 mm (w) x 41.5 mm (h), with enamel loss, good.

Footnote: Originally instituted as the Institution of Military Merit (Institution du Mérite militaire) in 1759, then altered to the Order of Military Merit. Was created to reward non-Catholic officer`s within the French Army.

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.