SILVER MESSINA EARTHQUAKE MEDAL1908 BY REGIO ZECCA (ROYAL MINT)

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The Commemorative Medal of the Calabria- Sicilian Earthquake 1908 99p START NO RESERVE Medaglia Commemorativa Terremoto Calabro-Siculo 1908 also known as: The Messina Earthquake Medal 1908 At 5:22 am on the 28th December 1908 the Sicily & Calabria area of Italy was struck by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. It was soon realised that the Italian authorities had a major disaster on their hands with a terrible death toll. (70,000 - 100,000 est.). Many nations came to the aid of the affected areas and various ships in the Mediterranean at the time were deployed to offer whatever help could be given. Messina was the worst affected population centre and a number of Royal and British Merchant Navy vessels landed men to assist, from digging survivors out from collapsed buildings to assisting with the evacuation of the injured and homeless. In the aftermath of this it was decided by the Italian Royal family that a 'merit medal' would be produced to be awarded to those who distinguished themselves "whether by rendering assistance and medical treatment, or by donating health and administrative services and meeting the material and spiritual needs of the sufferers of the disaster" . This medal was struck in gold, silver and bronze - and in two sizes; 40mm and 30mm, - 40mm for institutions and 30mm for individuals. An estimate of up to three read more