Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of The Roman Eagle, Iii Class Commander, Civil Division, C.1942

(Commendatore dell'Ordine civile e militare dell'Aquila romana). Type I (1942-1943) . In silver gilt with red, blue, white and green enamels, measuring 51.3 mm (w) x 55 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, surface wear present in the white enamels on the arms at 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock on the obverse, flaking evident in the white enamels on the arm at 6 o'clock on the reverse, light flaking in the blue enamels on both centrepieces, replacement full-length neck ribbon, remains fine.

Footnote: The Fascist Order of the Roman Eagle was founded in 1942, in civil and military divisions, in five classes: I Class Knight Grand Cross, II Class Grand Officer, III Class Commander, IV Class Officer and V Class Knight. It was abolished in Italy in 1944, although it continued to be awarded by Benito Mussolini in the short-lived Italian Social Republic until 1945. A self-styled order of the same name was founded by Romano Mussolini, fourth and youngest son of Benito Mussolini, in 1997.