Some New Papal Medals to Share
Iosephus
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Some recent acquisitions that I got around to photographing and researching which I thought I'd share.
Leo X, Posthumous (1664) Medal
Silver, 42 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Papacy of Leo X
Obverse: Bust of Leo X, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. Around, LEO X PONTIFEX MAX ("Leo X, Supreme Pontiff").
Reverse: The papal coat of arms of Leo X. Around, GLORIA ET HONORE CORONASTI EVM ("Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor"). Below, ROMA ("Rome").
One of a series of restitution medals created by Girolamo Paladino.
Paul III, Year XVI (1549) Medal
Silver, 41.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Holy Year of 1550
Obverse: Bust of Paul III, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. The cope features the pope breaking open the Holy Door. Around, PAVLVS III PONT MAX AN XVI ("Paul III, Supreme Pontiff, Year 16").
Reverse: A birds-eye view of Rome. In exergue, ALMA ROMA ("Nourishing Rome").
This medal design was intended to be used for the 1550 medal of Paul III celebrating the Holy Year, as evidenced by the design on the cope. Another version of this medal also features writing on the cope beneath the illustration acknowledging the Holy Year. During a Holy Year, it is practice for the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome. Paul had announced the Holy Year, but died on November 10, 1549, before its opening.
Benedict XIV, 1740 Medal
Silver, 39 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Election of Benedict XIV
Obverse: Bust of Benedict XIV facing right, wearing cap, cloak, and stole. Around, BENEDICTVS XIV PONT MAX ("Benedict XIV, Supreme Pontiff"). Below, the engraver, HAMERANI.
Reverse: A figure of justice, wearing the papal tiara. In his right hand, the scales of justice. In his left hand, a staff topped by a patriarchal cross and chi rho. Beneath the staff, two entangled serpents. Around, IVDICABIT IN ÆQVITATE ("He will judge with justice"). In exergue, MDCCXL (1740).
Before his election to the papal throne, Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini had a reputation as being hard-working, humble, and vastly knowledgable. During the conclave of 1740, the cardinals were split ito several factions, and after six months, no progress had been made in electing a new pope. Lambertini addressed the conclave, saying "If you wish to elect a saint, choose Gotti [Vincenzo Ludvico Gotti]; a statesman, Aldrovandi [Pompeio Aldrovandi]; an honest man, elect me." Lambertini was subsequently elected, and took the name of Benedict XIV.
Pius VII, Year XVII (1816) Annual Medal
Silver, 43 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Restoration of the Papal States
Obverse: Bust of Pius VII facing right with decorative cope and tiara. Around, PIVS SEPTIMVS PONT. MAX. ANNO XVII ("Pius VII, Supreme Pontiff, Year 17"). Below, the engraver, BRANDT. F.
Reverse: Six standing figures representing the six provinces listed below. Above, crossed keys surmounted by an umbraculum. In exergue, BONONIA FERRARIA AEMILIA / PICENO BENEVENTO FREGELLIS / PONTIFICIAE POTESTATI / RESTITVTIS. / A.D. MDCCCXV. ("Bologna, Ferrara, Aemilia, Piceno, Benevento, Fregellis restored to papal sovereignty, 1815"). Below, the engraver, BRANDT. F.
At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the papal representative Ercole Consalvi negotiated for the restitution of the Papal States. He was successful in his efforts, restoring most of the papal territory to how it had been before the French Revolution.
Pius IX, Year VI (1851) Annual Medal
Silver, 43.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Viaduct Uniting Albano and Aricia
Obverse: Bust of Pius IX facing left with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The stole features a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, at the top and crossed keys surmounted by the papal tiara at the bottom. Around, PIVS IX PONT MAX ANNO VI ("Pius IX, Supreme Pontiff, Year 6"). Below, the engraver, GIVS CERBARA F.
Reverse: A representation of the new bridge. In exergue, ALBANO ET ARICIA / PONTE CONJVNCTIS / MDCCCLI ("Albano and Aricia, united by bridge, 1851").
Work began in 1846 on a new viaduct to connect the towns of Albano Laziale and Aricia. The work was finished in 1853, and the bridge inaugurated by Pius IX on October 12, 1854. This medal commemorates the current construction work being done on the bridge.
Pius IX, Year XXVI (1871) Annual Medal
Silver, 43.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of 25 Years of Pius IX's Reign
Obverse: Bust of Pius IX facing left with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The stole features the papal coat of arms. Around, PIVS IX PONT MAX AN XXVI ("Pius IX, Supreme Pontiff, Year 26"). Below, the engraver, BIANCHI.
Reverse: The pope kneeling in front of the Throne of Peter surmounted by two angels, each holding a key and together holding up the papal tiara. The back of the throne is decorated with a scene of Jesus presenting the keys to heaven to St. Peter. To the left, Jesus standing, with an hourglass at his feet. To the right, a crouching St. Peter, holding to keys in his hand. In exergue, XXV ANNIS REGNAVIT / FECITQ QVOD RECTVM ERAT / REG III ("He reigned 25 yeras and did that which was right"). On the floor beneath the throne, the engraver, BIANCHI.
In 1871, Pius IX celebrated 25 years as pontiff. The reverse shows Jesus and St. Peter congratulating Pius on his 25 years of good service. It also alludes to the continuation of the papal lineage from St. Peter receiving the keys to heaven from Jesus down to the present pope.
Leo X, Posthumous (1664) Medal
Silver, 42 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Papacy of Leo X
Obverse: Bust of Leo X, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. Around, LEO X PONTIFEX MAX ("Leo X, Supreme Pontiff").
Reverse: The papal coat of arms of Leo X. Around, GLORIA ET HONORE CORONASTI EVM ("Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor"). Below, ROMA ("Rome").
One of a series of restitution medals created by Girolamo Paladino.
Paul III, Year XVI (1549) Medal
Silver, 41.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Holy Year of 1550
Obverse: Bust of Paul III, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. The cope features the pope breaking open the Holy Door. Around, PAVLVS III PONT MAX AN XVI ("Paul III, Supreme Pontiff, Year 16").
Reverse: A birds-eye view of Rome. In exergue, ALMA ROMA ("Nourishing Rome").
This medal design was intended to be used for the 1550 medal of Paul III celebrating the Holy Year, as evidenced by the design on the cope. Another version of this medal also features writing on the cope beneath the illustration acknowledging the Holy Year. During a Holy Year, it is practice for the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome. Paul had announced the Holy Year, but died on November 10, 1549, before its opening.
Benedict XIV, 1740 Medal
Silver, 39 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Election of Benedict XIV
Obverse: Bust of Benedict XIV facing right, wearing cap, cloak, and stole. Around, BENEDICTVS XIV PONT MAX ("Benedict XIV, Supreme Pontiff"). Below, the engraver, HAMERANI.
Reverse: A figure of justice, wearing the papal tiara. In his right hand, the scales of justice. In his left hand, a staff topped by a patriarchal cross and chi rho. Beneath the staff, two entangled serpents. Around, IVDICABIT IN ÆQVITATE ("He will judge with justice"). In exergue, MDCCXL (1740).
Before his election to the papal throne, Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini had a reputation as being hard-working, humble, and vastly knowledgable. During the conclave of 1740, the cardinals were split ito several factions, and after six months, no progress had been made in electing a new pope. Lambertini addressed the conclave, saying "If you wish to elect a saint, choose Gotti [Vincenzo Ludvico Gotti]; a statesman, Aldrovandi [Pompeio Aldrovandi]; an honest man, elect me." Lambertini was subsequently elected, and took the name of Benedict XIV.
Pius VII, Year XVII (1816) Annual Medal
Silver, 43 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Restoration of the Papal States
Obverse: Bust of Pius VII facing right with decorative cope and tiara. Around, PIVS SEPTIMVS PONT. MAX. ANNO XVII ("Pius VII, Supreme Pontiff, Year 17"). Below, the engraver, BRANDT. F.
Reverse: Six standing figures representing the six provinces listed below. Above, crossed keys surmounted by an umbraculum. In exergue, BONONIA FERRARIA AEMILIA / PICENO BENEVENTO FREGELLIS / PONTIFICIAE POTESTATI / RESTITVTIS. / A.D. MDCCCXV. ("Bologna, Ferrara, Aemilia, Piceno, Benevento, Fregellis restored to papal sovereignty, 1815"). Below, the engraver, BRANDT. F.
At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the papal representative Ercole Consalvi negotiated for the restitution of the Papal States. He was successful in his efforts, restoring most of the papal territory to how it had been before the French Revolution.
Pius IX, Year VI (1851) Annual Medal
Silver, 43.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of the Viaduct Uniting Albano and Aricia
Obverse: Bust of Pius IX facing left with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The stole features a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, at the top and crossed keys surmounted by the papal tiara at the bottom. Around, PIVS IX PONT MAX ANNO VI ("Pius IX, Supreme Pontiff, Year 6"). Below, the engraver, GIVS CERBARA F.
Reverse: A representation of the new bridge. In exergue, ALBANO ET ARICIA / PONTE CONJVNCTIS / MDCCCLI ("Albano and Aricia, united by bridge, 1851").
Work began in 1846 on a new viaduct to connect the towns of Albano Laziale and Aricia. The work was finished in 1853, and the bridge inaugurated by Pius IX on October 12, 1854. This medal commemorates the current construction work being done on the bridge.
Pius IX, Year XXVI (1871) Annual Medal
Silver, 43.5 mm Ø
In Commemoration of 25 Years of Pius IX's Reign
Obverse: Bust of Pius IX facing left with cloak, stole, and zucchetto. The stole features the papal coat of arms. Around, PIVS IX PONT MAX AN XXVI ("Pius IX, Supreme Pontiff, Year 26"). Below, the engraver, BIANCHI.
Reverse: The pope kneeling in front of the Throne of Peter surmounted by two angels, each holding a key and together holding up the papal tiara. The back of the throne is decorated with a scene of Jesus presenting the keys to heaven to St. Peter. To the left, Jesus standing, with an hourglass at his feet. To the right, a crouching St. Peter, holding to keys in his hand. In exergue, XXV ANNIS REGNAVIT / FECITQ QVOD RECTVM ERAT / REG III ("He reigned 25 yeras and did that which was right"). On the floor beneath the throne, the engraver, BIANCHI.
In 1871, Pius IX celebrated 25 years as pontiff. The reverse shows Jesus and St. Peter congratulating Pius on his 25 years of good service. It also alludes to the continuation of the papal lineage from St. Peter receiving the keys to heaven from Jesus down to the present pope.
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Comments
Esp like the Paul III type anticipating the holy year. This is one that I've not been able to get in either AE or AR. Quite a treasure.
8 Reales Madness Collection