Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of The Crown In Gold, Iii Class Commander, C.1900

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. In 18K Gold with red, white, blue, green and black enamels, unmarked, weighing 21.3 grams, measuring 52.3 mm (w) x 56.3 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, chipping and loss evident in the red and white enamels on the jewels of the crown on the obverse centrepiece, otherwise the enamels are intact, on its original full-length neck ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit. Compared with the older Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946.