WWI Allied Occupation Currency for Italy

This was found only a few minutes ago at the bottom of my deceased grandmother’s sewing box while my mother was going through things to give away to the thrift shop!

My grandmother’s brother served with Canadian forces in Italy during WWII, and we can only assume this was a souvenir from him. As you can see, it’s currency issued by the allies for use in Italy.

Interestingly, while my great uncle was battling up one side of Sicily under the command of General Montgomery, my father was an American soldier fighting up the other side under General Patton. Fortunately both of them survived their commander’s ambition to be the first to enter Messina.