Some pics of recent purchases: Papal coin & medals
Iosephus
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Just a few items I picked up over the past couple of months.
(1684) Silver Piastra
The obverse features the coat of arms of Innocent XI surmounted by crossed keys and the papal tiara. The reverse has a saying (translation: "Thy right hand, O Lord, has struck the enemy.") surrounded by a palm wreath.
Although not dated, several other varieties were produced with the same reverse inscription and dated 1684. This inscription refers to the defeat of the Turkish siege on Vienna. Innocent XI was integral in getting the rulers of Poland and the Holy Roman Empire to send their armies to free Vienna.
1653 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bust of Innocent X facing left, wearing a cap and a cassock. The reverse features a radiant dove with outstretched wings, over a saying (translation: "Fill the World"), surrounded by a wreath of laurel branches.
The dove represents the Holy Spirit, and combining it with the phrase yields a call for the Holy Spirit to fill the world. During this time, the Pope was battling teachings contrary to the teachings of the Church. The phrase also appears to be from the Book of Wisdom 1:7, quoniam spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum ("For the spirit of the Lord fills the world").
1657 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bareheaded bust of Alexander VII facing right, wearing a decorative cope. The reverse depicts Saint Peter descending from heaven, holding a key, towards victims of the plague; at the fight is the angel of death, holding a skull and sword; St. Peter's Basilica is in the left background.
The dreaded plague appeared in Rome in May of 1956. Pope Alexander VII took charge of the situation and instituted measures to try and control the outbreak. He would also make frequent public appearances to calm the people. By June of 1657, the plague in Rome was coming to an end, though Rome lost about one-eighth its population (15,000 people) in that time.
1859 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bust of Pius IX facing right with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The reverse features the newly rebuily Porta San Pancrazio.
The gate of San Pancrazio was destroyed in 1849 during the fighting between Garibaldi and the French General Oudinot. It was rebuilt in 1856 by the architect Virginio Vespignani.
(1684) Silver Piastra
The obverse features the coat of arms of Innocent XI surmounted by crossed keys and the papal tiara. The reverse has a saying (translation: "Thy right hand, O Lord, has struck the enemy.") surrounded by a palm wreath.
Although not dated, several other varieties were produced with the same reverse inscription and dated 1684. This inscription refers to the defeat of the Turkish siege on Vienna. Innocent XI was integral in getting the rulers of Poland and the Holy Roman Empire to send their armies to free Vienna.
1653 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bust of Innocent X facing left, wearing a cap and a cassock. The reverse features a radiant dove with outstretched wings, over a saying (translation: "Fill the World"), surrounded by a wreath of laurel branches.
The dove represents the Holy Spirit, and combining it with the phrase yields a call for the Holy Spirit to fill the world. During this time, the Pope was battling teachings contrary to the teachings of the Church. The phrase also appears to be from the Book of Wisdom 1:7, quoniam spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum ("For the spirit of the Lord fills the world").
1657 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bareheaded bust of Alexander VII facing right, wearing a decorative cope. The reverse depicts Saint Peter descending from heaven, holding a key, towards victims of the plague; at the fight is the angel of death, holding a skull and sword; St. Peter's Basilica is in the left background.
The dreaded plague appeared in Rome in May of 1956. Pope Alexander VII took charge of the situation and instituted measures to try and control the outbreak. He would also make frequent public appearances to calm the people. By June of 1657, the plague in Rome was coming to an end, though Rome lost about one-eighth its population (15,000 people) in that time.
1859 Silver Annual Medal
The obverse features the bust of Pius IX facing right with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The reverse features the newly rebuily Porta San Pancrazio.
The gate of San Pancrazio was destroyed in 1849 during the fighting between Garibaldi and the French General Oudinot. It was rebuilt in 1856 by the architect Virginio Vespignani.
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"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media" - William Colby, former CIA director
I especially like the plague medal. It is very evocative of the sense of dread which must have gripped the contemporary population at a time when the disease was thought to be a divine punishment rather than the product of an uncontrolled bacterial infection spread by flea-infested rats.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media" - William Colby, former CIA director
I love the relief on the Pius IX piece
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Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
The medal depicting the plague is particularly fascinating. I wonder how many other european coins depict the plague, or have plague related themes?