Are you finding that Italian coin shops are not shippign to the United States. It seems that many shops feel the customs problems are too much of a hassle. Also if you but on Cataiki are you haveing problems with stolen items or items that never show up. Seems like it's a big problem.
I've collected Italian for 60 years and have never seen one like this but I surmise that it was done in Italy as many people do what was suggested above. That it was done to confuse or rip people off.
really interesting. I collect these but only buy them if certified. I did buy one , a 1936, from a reputable dealer at the internation in New York in January that graded out as a 63 but would not take that chance on Ebay