1918 Vatican Silver Medal Benedict XV Anno V Jesus Blessing the Unfortunates AU+
Description: A nice papal silver medal with the image of the bust of Pope Benedict XV on the obverse. Benedict XV was pope in the period 1914-1922. This the 5th year issue papal medal documenting the ministry to the mothers of dead soldiers, invalid soldiers and the veterans of the war (WWI) all together known as the Unfortunates. The reverse shows the images of Jesus extending his arms over the groups of unfortunates. both reading with a lion at their feet. The obverse shows the bust of the pope facing left with the inscription "BENEDICTVS • XV • PONT • | MAX • ANNO • V •" along the edge surrounding the pontiff's bust with the name of the engraver G • ROMAGNOLI below the bust. The reverse shows Jesus standing with rays behind his head and extending his arm over groups of unfortunates to his left and his right. The design is surrounded by the legend "MINISTERIO • SEDIS • APOSTOLICAE" along the edge with the inscription "MISEREOR | SUPER • TVRBAM" in exergue. The medal is nicely toned with a reddish-brown hallow toning along the edge and on the high points of the obverse. The medal has very nice eye appeal. The edge of the medal is plain and unmarked. 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: 1918.
Origin: Vatican City, Italy.
Artist: G. ROMAGNOLI
Weight and Size: The medal weighs ~35.5 grams, is ~44 millimeters in diameter, and ~3.5 millimeters thick at the edge.
Maker: Struck by the Mint of Rome.
Marks: Marked G • ROMAGNOLI below the pope's bust on the obverse.
Reference: De Luca No. 55 with rarity index R and Mazio 878.
Condition: I would grade the medal as choice about uncirculated or much better condition. The medal shows minimum wear if any to the high point and a few minor marks in the fields. The medal is nicely toned with a reddish-brown hallow toning along the edges of both obverse and reverse and has the same toning on high points of the obverse. The edge of the medal is plain and is unmarked. A nice fairly rare historic Catholic piece to add to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
Date: 1918.
Origin: Vatican City, Italy.
Artist: G. ROMAGNOLI
Weight and Size: The medal weighs ~35.5 grams, is ~44 millimeters in diameter, and ~3.5 millimeters thick at the edge.
Maker: Struck by the Mint of Rome.
Marks: Marked G • ROMAGNOLI below the pope's bust on the obverse.
Reference: De Luca No. 55 with rarity index R and Mazio 878.
Condition: I would grade the medal as choice about uncirculated or much better condition. The medal shows minimum wear if any to the high point and a few minor marks in the fields. The medal is nicely toned with a reddish-brown hallow toning along the edges of both obverse and reverse and has the same toning on high points of the obverse. The edge of the medal is plain and is unmarked. A nice fairly rare historic Catholic piece to add to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
