Association of Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Medal of Merit for Aiding Pilgrims of the Holy Year 1975: in silvered silver, measuring 32.7 mm in diameter, edge nicks, tarnishing evident on the reverse, original ribbon; and Military Hospitaller Order of St. John, Southern Italy Earthquake Relief Medal 1980: in bronze, measuring 32.5 mm in diameter, original ribbon. Very fine and extremely fine, respectively.
Footnote: The Association of Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Medal of Merit for Aiding Pilgrims of the Holy Year 1975 was instituted by Magistral Decree 15277 of February 7, 1975, to be awarded to Italian Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta who assisted pilgrims to Rome during that year. The tradition of Jubilee (Holy) Years dates back to ancient biblical times - “You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee to you; and you shall return every man to his possession, and you shall return every man to his family” (Leviticus 25, 10-14). Pope Boniface VII instituted the first Christian Jubilee in 1300 through the Papal Bull “Antiquorum Fida Relatio” and the tradition continues. The Military Hospitaller Order of St. John, Southern Italy Earthquake Relief Medal was issued to those who assisted the relief efforts during the 1980 Irpinia Earthquake (AKA Southern Italy Eartquake), which took place in Southern Italy on November 23rd, with a moment magnitude of 6.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The shock was centered on the village of Conza and left at least 2,483 people dead, at least 7,700 injured, and 250,000 homeless.