Top » Catalog » Italy » IT515  
Quick Find
 
Use keywords to find the product you are looking for.
Advanced Search
Sub Categories
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
[IT515]
Quantity Available: 0
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge

Circular silver medal with laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with the head of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing left circumscribed ‘VITTORIO EMANUELE III’, signed ‘L. GIORGI’; the reverse inscribed ‘TERREMOTO 28 DICEMBRE 1908 IN CALABRIA E IN SICILIA’ (Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and in Sicily) within an oak wreath, the crowned ‘Z’ of Regio Zecca at the base; age-toned; on original ribbon. The medal was instituted by Royal Decree 338 on 6 May 1909 for those who participated in the relief of the earthquake of 28 December 1908. The earthquake was the deadliest in European history with more than 100,000 deaths. It occurred at 5.20am and thus almost the entire population was indoors where the risk from collapsing buildings was greatest. However, the epicentre was in the Straits of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland and a deadly tidal wave (tsunami) some 12 metres (40 feet) high swept ashore into the cities of Messina in Sicily and Reggio di Calabria on the mainland and many other towns and villages along both shores, destroying more than nine-tenths of buildings and disabling all communication with the rest of Italy. It was more than two days before help began arriving by sea with the British Royal Navy prominent. A number of versions of this 1909 medal by Zecca, S. Johnson and others exist. A very good example of a much sought-after medal.

 
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge
Medal of Merit for Participation in the Relief of the Earthquake of 28 December 1908 in Calabria and Sicily, silver (Medaglia di Benemerenza per I Soccorsi dopo il Terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 in Calabria e Sicilia, argente) by Zecca
Click to enlarge
 
SOLD

Site by GoodAnswers