Description

Italian Somaliland, once a protectorate and later a colony of the Kingdom of Italy in present-day Somalia, was initially governed by Somali Sultanates in the north and various political entities in the south during the 19th century. Italy gradually acquired control through protection treaties in the 1880s.

Resistance to Italian expansion began in the 1890s with the Bimaal and Wa'dan revolts near Merca, coinciding with the anti-colonial Dervish movement in the north. After a two-year military campaign, Rome established authority over the entire region by the end of 1927.

In 1936, Italian Somaliland became part of Italian East Africa as the Somalia Governorate until Italy's loss in 1941 during World War II. British military administration followed until 1950, when it became a United Nations trusteeship under Italian administration. On July 1, 1960, the Trust Territory of Somalia joined with former British Somaliland to create the Somali Republic.

Victor Emmanuel III (Italian: Vittorio Emanuele III; 1869–1947) served as the King of Italy from July 29, 1900, until his abdication on May 9, 1946. His nearly 46-year reign saw Italy's involvement in two World Wars and the rise and fall of Italian Fascism. Abdicating in 1946 in favor of his son Umberto II to bolster monarchy support against a successful referendum to abolish it, Victor Emmanuel went into exile in Alexandria, Egypt, where he died and was buried in 1947. Known as "Il Re soldato" (The Soldier King) for leading Italy in both world wars and "Il Re vittorioso" (The Victorious King) after Italy's First World War victory, he was also nicknamed "Sciaboletta" ("little saber") due to his height of 1.53 m (5 ft 0 in).

A prove is a type of trial strike, typically a non-circulating, non-legal tender coin with a slightly higher mintage than the usual pattern coin.

Engraver: Attilio Silvio Motti