1915 Italo - Austrian silver Medal

[Antony]

Hi everyone

I have a small collection of Orders and medals representing all those countries active in WW1.
I aquired a silver medal commemorating the start of hostilities between Italy and Austria on the 24th March 1915 issued by th house of Savoy presumably in 1918.
I am having difficulty Identifying to which ranks were awarded this large 42mm medalian with Italian tricolor ribbon on a ring. the obverse is very elaborate and is inscribed G Fontana 1698 (presumably the original sculpter), the Reverse has arround the rim the words GUERRA ITALO-AUSTRIACA-24 MAGGIO 1915, with AUSPICIO DI VITTORIA at its center (sorry for the long description but I am as yet unable to upload immages, so feel free to Immagine it !!
Magnificent item but I am struggling to find much Information about it especially on Italien forums. If any of you can point me in the right direction I would be most greatful
Antony

[Antony]

just wrestling with this new website operation

[enorepap]

Hallo Antony

Based on your description, I think this is your medal:

http://numismatica-italiana.lamoneta...eta/W-ME63X7/1

Another version in bronze:

http://www.jkmilitaria.com/Italy.html

I think an unofficial medal minted for Italy's entry in WW1.

Please, note: Fontana was the architect who designed the baptismal font of St. Peter at the Vatican:

http://www.usefilm.com/image/1431952.html

best regards

[Antony]

Ciao Enorepap
Thanks for such a swift reply, I was blown away by the speed, this website has a very good reputation with collectors and that was some proof.

The images on the Italian forum at Numismatica has four photographs, the two with the cleaned medal with ribbon is of my actual example which I uploaded yesterday having failed to figure out how to do so or denied access to the tools on Wehrmacht at this time.

the bronze set on jkmilitaria suggests to me that a handful of gold medals were also minted for the military elite, I just have to research where mine fits in and to who they were awarded - lots of fun to come

It was very interesting to learn from you of the Fontana design - thanks for the information
grazie mille
Antony

[enorepap]

Hallo Antony

The bronze one on jkmilitaria is marked SJ = Stefano Johnson.

This is their current site and you can try to find some information about:

http://www.johnson1836.com/

This is also a short history about the company:

http://www.johnson1836.com/index.php...mid=54&lang=it

I still think that it was a patriotic propaganda medal of private coinage. I do not believe there were classes of grant based on the type of metal.

[Antony]

Hi enorepap
Very many thanks for the information about the Stefano Johnson site, I would not have thought of that for ages!
Especially good information for me because I just bought a `Nella fede fratelli e nella vittoria` "Armata Altipiani" medal signed by Johnson. I hope to receive this sometime this week, and have begun some modest research.
Best regards
Antony

[enorepap]

Hallo Antony

There was also a commemorative cross in bronze of the Sixth Army (known as Armata degli Altipiani), with the same ribbon as the medal. Both were coined by Johnson.

Be careful with italian unofficial crosses and medals, because there are many post-war replicas around

[Antony]

Hello Enorepap

I shall take your advise and be as careful as possible, I have found many fakes of EK1 and EK2 plus others. When I get the time I shall work out the upload procedure and show you macro pictures of this new medal. The dealer I bought it from provides a lot of pictorial detail which I have and will scan to file for your opinion - time is my only enemy right now.

Back to the debate on the 1915 medal, I believe your suggestion that it is likely to be a private commision is probably correct, however being solid silver very expensive to produce even in low volume, and baring the symbols of the house of Savoia then would this not if unauthorised be an illegal and dangerous thing to make ?

best regards
Antonio

[enorepap]

Hallo Antonio

Your coin is classified as very rare. With reference to the metal (silver) I think that this type of medal was reserved for wealthy investors or to higher authorities involved in the event. The use of the Savoy knot (or love knot) was very common and I do not believe that the use of this symbol required any sovereign authorization. With regard to false, I'll explain. There was a large production of these medals and crosses even in recent times to meet the demand of the associations of ex-combatants. Some of these are then finished in the collector market, peddled by some unscrupulous seller as post WW1 historical coinages.

Best regards

[Antony]

Hi Enorepap

Very interesting points you make for my consideration, I value your opinion as your suggested scenario's have a high probability of being correct.

Best regards
Antonio