Venezuela, Republic. An Order Of The Liberator, Grand Officer's Star, By J.m.j. Van Wielik, C.1900

(Orden del Libertador). Instituted in 1854 as a Medal of Distinction and promoted in 1884 as an Order of Merit. Of high Dutch quality manufacture, a fine eight-pointed multiple ray star in silver, obverse centre exhibiting a detailed superposed Venezuelan coat of arms, surrounded by the inscription SIMON BOLIVAR on a blue enameled border, with filed silver beaded surround, reverse with pin assembly and dual stays, hallmarked twice by Dutch boar’s head denoting tax mark for foreign small articles, also hallmarked twice by French boar’s head denoting silver purity of .800, presenting maker’s cartouche of J.M.J. Van Wielik, a Dutch jeweler recognized by their excellent workmanship, and French maker’s mark of Fayolle Pouteur, measuring 71.10 mm (w) x 76.71 mm (h), with minor toned silver, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Liberator was the highest distinction of Venezuela and was appointed for services to the country, outstanding merit and benefits made to the community, until its abolition in 2010. The order was confirmed by Antonio Guzmán Blanco on September 14, 1880, and reformed in 1922 under the presidential term of Juan Vicente Gómez.

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.