Croatia, Independent State. An Order Of King Zvonimir's Crown, I Class With Oak Leaves Star, C.1942

(Red Krune Kralja Zvonmira). Instituted in 1941. Four-piece construction, cross in bronze gilt with white enamels, bearing an open-ended wreath of oak leaves in bronze gilt with green enamels, mounted to an eight-pointed silver star base, maker marked "BK" (Braća Knaus, Zagreb) and NDH state hallmarked on the reverse, measuring 66.3 mm (w) x 68.2 mm (h), vertical pinback, crazing evident in the white enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock, along with chipping in the green enamels on the wreath, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Order of King Zvonimir's Crown was an order awarded by the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). It was established by Croatian leader Ante Pavelić on May 15, 1941, as a "visible sign of decoration for merits done, in peace or in war, for Croatian people and Independent State of Croatia". The bearers of the grand order and first class order were given the title of knight (vitez). It is inscribed "BOG I HRVATI" with the dates "1076" (King Zvonimir's crowning) above and "1941" (the establishment of the NDH) below.