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Circular silver medal with laterally pierced loop for ribbon suspension, silver hallmark to the reverse; the face with the laurel-crowned head Emperor Napoleon III facing left, circumscribed ‘NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR’ and signed ‘BARRE’ (for the great French medallist Albert Désiré Barre, 1818-1878); the reverse inscribed with the names of the significant battles of the campaign: ‘MONTEBELLO, PALESTRO, TURBIGO, MAGENTA, MARIGNAN, SOLFERINO’ encircled by a ring inscribed ‘CAMPAGNE D’ITALIE 1859’, all within a laurel wreath border; on replaced correct ribbon.
The Medal was instituted by Imperial Decree of 11 August 1859 and awarded to the soldiers of the Army of Italy and sailors who participated in the French war against Austria, allied to Sardinia, that was a major step towards the unification of Italy.
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