בידספיריט | Italy (Israel): ”Judaea Restituta” /

Italy (Israel): ”Judaea Restituta” / ”And the Sons Have Returned to their Home” medal, 1946; by Jewish-Italian medallist Arrigo Minerbi; struck in silver by Stefano Johnson of Milano; size (medal): 35mm; weight: 27.85g. Obv.: sailboat w/Heb. Leg. ”Ve Shavu Banim LeGvulam” (Yirmiyahu Ch.31 v.16) above & dates 5705-5706 (1945-1946) in exergue; Minerbi's initials, left + ”800” silver, Johnson's on right edge. Rev.: Latin leg. ”Judea Restituta” (a play on Roman ”Judea Capta” coins of 70+ AD) w/arch of Titus & gate of Jer. Old City & dates as on obv. in Roman numerals. Commissioned by Yehuda Arazi , Italy commander of ”Mossad le Aliya Bet” (secret dept. of illegal emigration to Palestine) as token of gratitude to local civilians & officials who assisted him in enabling Jews to escape to Palestine, specifically following the ”La Spezia affair” (April 1946) in which 2 illegal emigrant ships were stopped by the British, 1000+ Jews revolted/hunger strike & occupied the port, and the public outcry caused the British to release the boats to Palestine. Awarded starting Passover eve, 1946; est. 100-200 issued. Rare; considered to be Israel's first official medal even as a pre-State issue.