Italy Unknown Italian Merit Medal

[zorg]

Unknown type of Vittorio Emanuelle III merit medal. Diameter: ~38mm. Any suggestions?

[claudio2574]

Hello, this is my first post from Italy.

There are many generic "al merito" (to the merit) medals out there, used for whatever reason, with the picture of the three kings of Italy (Vittorio Emanuele II 1861-1878, Umberto I 1878-1900, Vittorio Emanuele III 1900-1946).

For example, this one comes from the Vittorio Emanuele II era. Silver, 26mm, probably made immediately after the joining of Rome to Italy (1870). Von Heyden describes it as one of the first civil medals of Italy, 1861, but the design of back side and the shape of the suspension recalls the Rome mint (thus it could not be done before 1870). The ribbon should be green-white-red.

This other comes from Umberto I. Bronze, 44 mm. According to von Heyden, it was used for "relevant merit in exhibitions, for school merit" and so on.

[IrishGunner]

Claudio, welcome! Great first post from Italy! You've answered a question that I've been curious about for awhile.

[zorg]

Thx! for your answer. Claudio.

Edited May 13, 2013 by zorg

[claudio2574]

Another medal to the merit, from Umberto I era. It has the number 974 in the Von Heyden catalog. Small size, silver, it is almost identical to the Vittorio Emanuele II medal already posted here.