Italy, Kingdom. An Al Valore Militare, Silver Grade, French Issue, C.1859

Type 1d for French Troops in the War Against Austria 1859. In silver, without engraver mark, un-named, measuring 33.5 mm, replacement ribbon, very light contact, extremely fine.

Footnote: The award began as the Order of Military Valour, established by Vittorio Amedeo III in 1793. It had fallen into disuse during the Napoleonic era and was revived on April 1, 1815 by Vittorio Emanuele I, who subsequently repealed the institution a few months later, on August 4, 1815, replacing the medals for bravery with the Military Order of Savoy (now in Italy). By 1833, Charles Albert acknowledged that the requirements for the granting of the Military Order were too severe, and re-established the possibility of awarding medals to the value (gold and silver) award, instituting the Medal for Military Valour in these two grades, on March 26, 1833. It was awarded for generous acts in war and in peace from the military. 

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.