1928 Vatican Pius XI Anno VII Silver Annual Medal Opening of The Russian Collage
Description: A nice papal states silver medal with the image of the bust of Pope Pius XI who was pope in the period 1922-1939 on the obverse. The medal is the annual medal for the 7th year of the pope's reign. It was issued to commemorate the building of the Russian College to combat de-Christianization in the Soviet Union. The obverse shows the bust of the pope facing right with the inscription "PVIS.XI.PONT.MAX.A.VII" surrounding the pontiff’s bust along the edge with the notation MISTRVZZI below the pontiff’s bust. The reverse shows the bust of the building housing the Russian College. The reverse has the legend "RVSSICVM S THERESIÆ / AB I IESV / MCMXXVIII" in exergue. The medal is uncirculated, graded as Mint State MS 62 by NGC and comes in plastic slab so labeled. It is darkly toned with great eye appeal. This is a nice-looking medal, which would make a worthy addition to any collection. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1928.
Origin: Vatican City.
Artist: A. Mistruzzi.
Weight and Size: The medal should weigh ~37 grams and is ~44 millimeters in diameter.
Maker: Struck by the Mint of Rome.
Marks: Marked MISTRVZZI below the pope's bust on the obverse. Reference: De Luca No. 84, Rinaldi 122, and Mazio 887. Condition: The medal is in mint state condition and is graded MS 62 by NGC. It comes in a plastic holder so labeled. It is darkly toned and has great eye appeal. A nice historic Catholic piece to add to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
