The Kansas City Star January 30, 1998 Spoils of world war reside in Midwest Italy hopes to reclaim medallions from home of Missouri rancher. OSCAR AVILA Staff Writer In Rome, the medallions are displayed on the walls of the Basilica of Constantine, along the street from the Colosseum to a main square. In Sheldon, Mo., the medallions are displayed in Jay Anderson's farmhouse, next to paintings on the wood-paneled walls of the den. How some of the hubcap-size copper medallions made their way from Rome to Kansas City to southwest Missouri is a story that spans 50 years. It seems that the medallions, created by artist Antonio Munoz, were part of a large mural that Benito Mussolini commissioned as a Fascist shrine. Historians say they graphically show the dictator's imperialistic vision. Next week, Italian government officials will meet in Rome to decide how they should go about reacquiring the medallions. While Anderson calls the medallions tacky, the Italian government considers them priceless. ``I don't know what the big to-do is,'' said Anderson, a 56-year-old cattle rancher. ``They're just like a velvet painting of Elvis. If you saw them, you wouldn't think they were too big of a deal. '' The story started in the summer of 1944. Anderson's father, Maj. James Anderson, marched with American troops to occupy Rome. He saw nine medallions on the walls and, not knowing their significance, asked someone to take them down. The soldier shipped the souvenirs to his family in Kansas City. He thought so little of the medallions that he didn't even wrap them. Later, James Anderson gave four medallions to each of his two children, son Jay and daughter Nancy, who now lives in Mexico, Mo. Anderson also gave one medallion to family friends in Kansas City. Jay Anderson said he didn't want to identify the friends, who plan to keep their medallion. James Anderson died in 1976. A few days ago, the Italian government learned from a newspaper reporter that the medallions were on Anderson's 800-acre ranch. In recent days, Italian government officials have talked with Anderson about returning the medals. Officials say they want to display them in a museum or other prominent place. It is impossible to place a monetary value on the medallions, officials said, and money has not been discussed yet. The medallions were part of world maps of a ``20th century Roman empire'' that Mussolini would rule. The Anderson family's medallions include depictions of Senegal, Egypt and other nations. The medallions that remain in Rome illustrate scenes from the original Roman Empire. The maps often were present when Mussolini addressed crowds. ``These are very significant,'' said Mico Delianova Licastro, the U.S. representative of the mayor of Rome. ``Everyone thought they had disappeared forever. When they heard of this, my colleagues were excited. '' Licastro has talked with Anderson and said that Italian officials might travel to Missouri if an agreement can be reached. Officials said it is unclear who are the medallions' legal owners. Anderson said he hopes the Italian government will offer a free trip to Rome so he can personally present the medallions. Officials said that handing over the medallions would be a historically significant event. It would be significant for Anderson, too. ``My wife thinks that wood paneling in the den is terrible, too dated,'' Anderson said. ``If I take (the medallions) down, that might give me the chance to fix up that room a little bit. That would make her happy. '' Illustration:Photo CAPTION: Jay Anderson's father brought several copper medallions home to Kansas City from Rome after World War II. Some of the pieces, which were commissioned by Benito Mussolini, are now hanging in Anderson's farmhouse in Sheldon, Mo. Italian officials recently called to ask for their return. CREDIT: The Associated Press