Italy, Republic. An Order Of The Star Of The Italian Solidarity, I Class Grand Officer, C.1960

(Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana). Instituted in 1947. Three-piece construction, in silver gilt, inscribed in Italian "STELLA DELLA SOLIDARIETA ITALIANA" and inscribed in Latin "ANNO MCMXLVIII" (Year 1948) on the reverse cartouche, measuring 66.8 mm (w) x 68 mm (h), vertical pinback, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity was founded as a national order by the first President of the Italian Republic, Enrico De Nicola, in 1947, to recognize civilian and military expatriates or foreigners who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after the Second World War. It was issued in three classes: I Class Grand Officer, II Class Commander and III Class Knight. In 2011, the order was reformed as the Order of the Star of Italy by the eleventh President, Giorgio Napolitano. The emphasis of the reformed award was shifted from post-war reconstruction to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.