Italy, Kingdom. A Liberation of Dalmatia Medal, c.1941

(Medaglia per la Dalmazia Redenta). In bronze, obverse illustrating a full-length figure of a helmeted Italian soldier bestriding the Adriatic and planting a standard in Dalmatia, a fasces to the left, the winged lion of St. Mark beyond, a tablet in its right paw inscribed "PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS" (Peace unto you, Mark, my evangelist), engraver marked "AFFER" (Costantino Affer, 1906-1987), reverse with a winged Victory figure, a sword in her right hand, a shield in her left hand, the crowned arms of Dalmatia beside the date "1941 Λ XIX" (19 April 1941) below, inscribed "VINCERE" (To Conquer) above and "DALMAZIA REDENTA" (Dalmatia Liberated) below, measuring 32 mm in diameter, extremely fine.

Footnote: The medal was awarded to members of the Italian Second Army for participation in the Italian invasion of Dalmatia following the German invasion of Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941. The Italians occupied and subsequently annexed parts of Slovenia, Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. The reference to St. Mark is from the legend that whilst visiting Venice, an angel appeared to him saying "Pax tibi Marce, evangelista meus. Hic requiescet corpus tuum." (Peace unto you Mark, my evangelist. Here your body shall rest.). The winged Lion of St. Mark, holding a tablet engraved with the angel’s words appears widely in Venice, of which he is patron saint, which for centuries exercised great power in the Adriatic and especially Dalmatia.