Italy - Question on Italian Independence Medal Bars

[army historian]

Hello all. I have seen the 1870 Italian Independence medal with dated bars - does anyone have any pictures or information? I am interested as I have an ancestor who was part of Garibaldi's 1000 Red Shirts. Thanks Cheers Captain Albert

[tjnier]

Hello all. I have seen the 1870 Italian Independence medal with dated bars - does anyone have any pictures or information? I am interested as I have an ancestor who was part of Garibaldi's 1000 Red Shirts. Thanks Cheers Captain Albert

The official issue of the 1870 Independence medal has the die designer's name "CANZANI" struck in relief on both faces. It appears right below the bust of King VE II at his neckline. It also appears below the toga & shield of the female figure on the reverse. I have seen privately struck varieties of this medal, particularly ones with the "S.J." hallmark of Stefano Johnson placed near the obverse edge at about 5 o'clock.

The early versions of the dated laurel spray clasps have a thick round silver wire backstrap. These silver clasps are struck fairly thin & hollow. Clasps of later vintage have a thin flat silver wire band for the backstrap.