<p>How does a nation say thank you? Many countries around the world have honor systems that national leaders use to give awards to citizens or international allies for acts of merit, service, and friendship. The highest honor in those systems is often known as a Grand Cross Order of Knighthood. These awards were typically reserved for the highest-ranking members of society, including royalty and heads of state. </p> <p>The <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/national-numismatic-collection">National Numismatic Collection</a> holds 237 Grand Crosses that reflect a wide range of political, military, and cultural histories across the globe. This collection was originally amassed by a collector named Frederick W. MacKay and was given to the Smithsonian in 1967. </p> <p>The Grand Cross Orders are some of the most eye-catching objects in the <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/national-numismatic-collection">National Numismatic Collection</a>. Made of colorful silks, rich enamels, sparkling ornaments, and a wide range of metals, their elaborate and complex designs reflect the significance they held for both the leader giving them out and the person receiving them. </p> <p>Now available online, these objects have enormous research potential. They are useful primary sources for exploring national and imperial histories, battles and treaties between nations, and sovereigns and their dynasties. </p> <p>Here you will see orders from 18 countries. Explore all 237 Grand Cross orders from around the world <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search?edan_q=&edan_fq[]=set_name:%22Grand+Cross+Orders+of+Knighthood%22&custom_search_id=collections-search" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>

<p>German Notgeld is a form of emergency currency that was created by cities and towns under German control following World War I. In a time of uncertainty that impacted the nation’s financial system, these locally issued notes supplemented what the government was able to provide. Often the notes are highly illustrated and colorful depicting the identities of the towns. Images such as legends, folklore, cityscapes, landscapes, historic events, landmarks, and important people appear on the notes serving as a place where the townspeople could take pride in their homes. This is a sample of some of the German Notgeld notes in the Smithsonian's National Numismatic Collection.<br /></p>