Good About Uncirculated 1903 Italian Papal State Silver Commemorative Medal Happily Begun The Holy Princedom Pope Pius X Anno I By Bianchi
Description: A beautiful silver medal commemorating the beginning of Pope Pius X papacy in 1903 by Bianchi. The obverse depicts the bust of the pope Pius X facing right with the legend "PIVS.X.PONT.MAX.ANNO.I" along the edge. The obverse has the inscription "BIANCHI" below the pontiff's bust. The reverse has the papal arms in the center surrounded by the legend "SACRO.PRINCIPATV. FELICITER.INITO.PRID.NON.AVG.A.MDCCCCIII" (Happily Begun The Holy Princedom) along the edge. The medal was designed by Bianchi. It weighs ~35 grams and measures ~43.5 mm in diameter. This is a beautiful medal with a nice portrait of the Pontiff. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1903 Anno I for Pope Pius X (year one of his papacy).
Mint: Rome.
Size and Weight: The Medal weighs ~35 grams and measures ~43.5 mm in diameter.
References: Mazio 863.
Condition: I would grade the medal as about uncirculated condition with no observable wear. The reason we grade the medal AU instead UNC is a couple of scratches observed in the field on the obverse. We doubt that the coin was ever circulated. The details of the medal are extremely well expressed and preserved. The medal has a nice portrait of the Pontiff with no observable wear and great preservation of the details. It has a few bag marks and some surface scratches with a couple of lines in the field, one in front of the Pope's face and one behind it (see the photos). It would make a nice addition to your collection. Please see photo for additional condition information.
