Prototype participation medal issued for the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 55 mm, 98 gm, by Emilio Greco. The front features a nude female torchbearer superimposed over Olympic rings; the reverse bears a convocation of eagles soaring high above the Olympic stadium, with raised Italian text encircling the edge. This is a rare prototype example that was never issued to athletes. It is thicker than the normal participation medal and the design is struck in deeper relief. This variation also has the mint mark “Bertoni, Milano” on the edge, whereas the typical participation medal is unmarked.
