Spain, Kingdom. A Royal & Military Order Of St. Ferdinand, Officer’s Star, By S. Garcia, C.1868

(Orden Real y Militar de San Fernando). Instituted in 1811 by King Ferdinand VII. Isabel II (1833-1868) issue. Of early Spanish manufacture, a silver Maltese cross with separately overlaid Gold ball finials, obverse centre applique in Gold, consisting of a superposed enameled red swords united by the hilts with an enameled white background, surrounded by an enameled blue border inscribed AL MERITO MILITAR (To Military Merit), reverse with flat pin assembly and catch, marked by maker’s mark of S. Garcia, an early and very unusual Spanish maker, measuring 62.48 mm (w) x 61.22 mm (h), presenting dark patina, and slight loss of blue enamels, very fine.

Footnote: The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand was founded in Spain as National Order of St. Ferdinand by the General Courts of Cadiz on August 31, 1811. It was approved by King Fernando VII/Ferdinand VII on November 28, 1814; and it was renamed Royal and Military Order of St. Ferdinand in 1815. The Order was instituted to reward the military personnel who defeated Napoleon’s army in the Peninsular War (1807-1814). The Order was mainly conferred upon European royal armies from Spain, Great Britain, Portugal, France, among others.

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.