1939 Italy-Italian 10 Centesimi Coin

to CCF!

It's from the reign of a Dictator.... Whom the Italians still hate!

The coin in question.

While the coin does not itself depict the dictator Mussolini, it was issued during his rule and bears the fasces - the logo of his party. Although the fasces is an ancient Roman symbol which predates the ideology of Fascism (and can be found on the pre-WWII coins of many countries, including the American "Mercury" dime), it is no longer used in post-WWII Italy by any government or party. The symbol has become contaminated, as indeed has the swastika (which prior to its use by the Nazis was widely used as a good-luck symbol).

Wearing a Fascist coin while visiting Italy would not be quite as controversial as wearing a swastika coin while visiting Germany (which would indeed be a criminal offence in that country), but it would definitely be making an extreme nationalist political statement.

If you wish to make a pendant out of an Italian coin for your daughter, I'd recommend either a pre-1922 coin or a post-1945 coin. They may not look as artistic or be as suitable for jewellery, but they carry far fewer dark overtones.

One final thing: ancient Roman coins are fairly cheap and readily available for sale in America and might seem like a good alternative. But I would strongly advise you not to use one. Private ownership and acquisition of ancient coins in Italy is strictly controlled. While she could probably enter the country wearing it without too much difficulty, trying to leave again with it could put her in legal strife.

I am not so sure that's wholly true but its not wholly false either. What the statement voices is the PC view.


When one reads contemporary accounts of Mussolini the impression gained is that the Italian people adored the man and leader they called Il Duce. It was only as the war was being lost that The current view came into being....and is maintained through current political views. I am sure there are those in Italy who still revere the man( Though they may be a minority they are, I suspect, a significant minority.

I suspect (ie: don't know) its similar to a conversation I had with a Russian national who commented that a significant number look back to the days of Stalin with a degree of respect(Now I am being PC). I was shocked at that view point but the response made me think.....the response was words to the effect: for all Stalin's power and tyranny he maintained only a small apartment and took very few material processions for his own use...while the current leaders live in palaces and seem at times time to be more interested in increasing their own material wealth.

All that said; wearing a Facist coin in Italy would gain considerable unwanted attention.

Thank you to all for responding and giving me the details relating to the 1939 Italy-Italian 10 Centesimi Coin. I will not make it into a necklace for my daughter. You have probably saved her from having problems while studying in Italy during the spring college term and I appreciate it very much.