Commemorative Medal of the March on Rome - For Imperial Rome

Highly rare commemorative medal, measuring approximately 33 mm in diameter, attributed to the private minting of Emilio Pagani of Milan, traditionally dated to 1923. The obverse depicts the helmeted head of the goddess Roma, facing right and crowned with a laurel branch, a direct reference to classical and imperial Roman imagery; along the left border appears the inscription “PER ROMA IMPERIALE”.

The reverse is dominated by a large fascio littorio resting on a base dated “1922”, superimposed over a finely engraved eagle with outspread wings. Along the upper edge runs the legend “IL FASCISMO PER L’ITALIA”, while beneath, flanked by oak branches, are the inscriptions “MARCIO’ SU ROMA” and the dates “29-30-31 OTT.”. A particularly interesting detail is the use of the later, definitive fascio littorio, rather than the earlier republican type, leading scholars to suggest a later production date, possibly towards the late 1920s. Almost hidden among the branches is the “E P” monogram, the Pagani maker’s mark. The medal is fitted with a suspension bracket for a ribbon, indicating its intended wear. This piece stands as a key example of the evolution of Fascist symbolic language toward explicit imperial references.