Italy, Kingdom. A Fascist Youth "Opera Balilla" Festival Of The Legions At Milan Medal

In silver, obverse illustrating the left-facing bust of Benito Mussolini in the centre, surrounded by the inscription "SE AVANZO SEGVITEMI / OPERA BALILLA" (If I Advanced, Follow Me / Opera Balilla), reverse inscribed "FESTA DELLE LEGIONI" (Festival of the Legions) above "MILANO 13.MAGGIO.XII" (Milano, May 13, Year 12) and marked "800" (silver), measuring 38.5 mm (w) x 43 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, edge nicks, bruised, contact marks, fine.

Footnote: The Opera Nazionale Balilla (ONB) was an Italian Fascist youth organization functioning between 1926 and 1937, when it was absorbed into the Gioventù Italiana del Littorio (GIL), a youth section of the National Fascist Party. It takes its name from Balilla, the nickname of Giovan Battista Perasso, a Genoese boy who, according to local legend, started the revolt of 1746 against the Habsburg forces that occupied the city in the War of the Austrian Succession. Perasso was chosen as the inspiration for his supposed age and revolutionary activity, while his presence in the fight against Austria reflected the irredentist stance taken by early Fascism, and Italy's victories in the First World War.