coni

Complete CONI Silver Star for Sporting Merit Set, 1994 – 925 Silver – S. Johnson Milano Manufacture – With Original Case.
Prestigious collectible lot comprising the official CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) decoration in the Silver class, originally struck in 1994 by the historic Stefano Johnson establishment in Milan. Complete 3-piece set in its original case.
Offered at auction is an exceptionally rare and outstanding complete institutional set of the Silver Star for Sporting Merit, the prestigious official honor awarded by CONI. This decoration is awarded exclusively to athletes, officials, and sports organizations that have made an outstanding, sustained, and long-term contribution to Italian sport.
The lot dates to 1994, a golden age for Italian medal-making, and was struck by the celebrated historic Stefano Johnson establishment in Milan, a world-class producer of medals and state decorations, which ceased its historic operations in the early 2000s.
Main Medal (Large): A splendid five-pointed star, entirely finished in glossy white enamel, with the period CONI emblem centered above it (the Italian tricolor shield and the five Olympic rings). The star is set on a finely crafted silver laurel wreath. The fabric ribbon features the colors of the Italian flag and has the original rectangular ribbon bar engraved “AL MERITO SPORTIVO” (“FOR SPORTING MERIT”).
Lapel Pin (Civilian Insignia): A miniature five-pointed star mounted on a gold-tone buttonhole pin, also bearing the inscription “AL MERITO SPORTIVO” on the base, intended for formal civilian attire.
Ceremonial Miniature: A scaled-down reproduction of the main medal, suspended from its own miniature tricolor ribbon, for uniforms or formal evening wear.
All pieces, including the plaque on the large star, are made of 925 silver (approximately 50 grams in total), hallmarked and finished with applied, fired enamel, as shown by the hallmarks in the photos.
As noted, the official three-piece set shown in the photos represents the Silver Star for Sporting Merit, a prestigious decoration established and awarded by CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee).
The designation “925 silver” refers to the material used for the official pieces of this honor: the main star, miniature, and lapel pin are made by striking sterling silver sheets (925/1000), which are then finished or enameled.
As a decoration of high institutional value, the 925 silver set is not mass-produced, but struck in strictly limited quantities. Under Article 13 of the Official CONI Regulations, the annual maximum is set at 250 awards, divided as follows:
150 awards for sports officials (individuals).
50 awards for sports organizations (to the flag).
A minimum supplementary allocation reserved exclusively for awards granted by right in connection with internal positions within the Olympic Committee.
The physical pieces are produced by official suppliers (or the State Mint) solely to meet the actual requirements of the awards approved for that sporting year, with no surplus production.
The Star for Sporting Merit is awarded to sports officials with at least 20 years of continuous service, or to affiliated organizations and committees with at least 30 years of activity, provided they have made a significant contribution to the promotion, organization, and prestige of sport in Italy.
A rarity for sports memorabilia enthusiasts.
The photos form an integral part of the description.