France, Napoleonic Kingdom. A Legion D'honneur, Officer's Cross, Type I, C.1804

1804 -1806 Issue. Napoleon I. An early and desirable large portrait version, in silver with a five armed white enameled cross and green enameled laurels, centres in gold with blue enamel work, obverse with portrait of Napoleon I, reverse displaying large left facing eagle, measuring 37 mm (w) x 40 mm (h - inclusive of horizontally pierced ball suspension), on original faded ribbon and with late 19th Century collectors tag, with enamel loss, fine.

Footnote: The Legion of Honour (AKA National Order of the Legion of Honour) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order's motto is ""Honneur et Patrie"" (""Honour and Fatherland"") and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).

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.