While tracing its roots back to the 1880s with its balloon forces, the Italian Air Force, Regia Aeronautica, was created as an independent force on 28 March 1923 by King Vittorio Emanuele III. From early operations in Ethiopia, it grew to fielding over 3,000 aircraft during the Second World War. Split when Italy changed sides in 1943, it was recombined after the war as the Aeronautica Militare, which it remains named to this day. It grew from 1949, when NATO was formed, (Italy was a founding member), and it remains a sizable force, operating state-of-the-art aircraft, like the Typhoon, and the F-35.

To mark the centenary of its formation, IPZS is issuing a silver coin on 23rd March. Valerio De Seta has done a great job combining multiple elements into a cohesive design. The classic Italian Air force roundel colours are merged with the two zeros of ‘100’, which is bisected with a line symbolising the biplane at its start, to the F-35 of today. A line arcing parallel to the edge of the coin is marked with the centennial dates. It’s all quite simple, but extremely effective. We like it. The obverse face features the emblem of the air force, a shield carrying the badges of four WWI squadrons who excelled in combat, under a crowned eagle in flight. Below the shield is the service motto in Latin, “Virtute Siderum Tenus” (“With Valour To The Stars”).

The coin is struck to a proof finish in 18 grams of sterling (0.925) silver, and has a diameter of 32 mm. It comes boxed and with a Certificate of Authenticity, and has a mintage of 5,000 pieces.

LINKS: Buy from the Italian Mint