Germany, Wehrmacht. A Gold Grade Wound Badge with Case, Obtained During the Liberation of Rome, by the Vienna Mint

(Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold mit Etui). Constructed of gilded tombak, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, around a central raised Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a clip hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse bearing a hand-etched inscription of “ROM 8. 4. 44.” indicating that the recipient suffered serious wounds during the fighting for control of Rome in the spring of 1944, otherwise unmarked, measuring 36.30 mm (w) x 43.79 mm (h), weighing 34.3 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former bearing an additional handwritten inscription of “ROM DEN 8. APRIL 1944”, with a slotted beige felt medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, the bottom retaining a maker’s label reading “HAUPTMÜNZAMT WIEN” for the Vienna Mint, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), the medal bed has detached from the frame of the case, a rare personalized award from a key engagement of the Italian Campaign in near extremely fine condition.