Luxemburg, Duchy. A Merit Order Of Adolph Of Nassau In Gold, Commander With Crown, C.1885

(Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d’Adolphe de Nassau). Instituted 1858. A hollow Gold Maltese cross with white enameled arms and ball finals; the obverse centre bears the letter ""A"" in Gold in Gothic script, crowned by an imperial crown, with blue enamel surround depicting laurels and the motto ""Virtute""; the reverse centre applique presents the dates ""1292"" (the year that Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg was crowned as King of the Romans) and ""1858"" (order institution date by Adolphe, Duke of Nassau); suspended from a Gold hollow crown; accompanied by its period original neck ribbon; measuring 45.60 mm (w) x 70.76 mm (h - inclusive of its crown); in overall better than extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau is an order of merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for meritorious service to the Grand Duke, the Grand-Ducal House and Luxembourg. It was founded in 1858 as a chivalric order of the Duchy of Nassau by Adolphe of Nassau in honour of his namesake and ancestor, Adolf, Count of Nassau, the only member of the House of Nassau to have been Roman King of Germany. After the Duchy of Nassau was annexed by Prussia in 1866 and Adolphe became Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1890, he revived the order as an order of merit. The order consists of eight grades, with two crosses and three medals attached to the order. The eight grades include: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander of the Crown, Commander (male)/Cross of Honour for Ladies (female), Officer of the Crown, Officer, Knight of the Crown, and Knight. Attached to the order are the following crosses and medals of merit: Crosses in Gold and Silver, along with Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze. 

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.