1894 Silver Medal Pope Leo XIII AN XVII Bianchi Founding Papal Seminary in India
Description: A nice mint state (MS 62) silver medal issued by the Vatican in 1894 to commemorate the founding of the Papal Seminary in British India at Kandy on the 17th year of pope Leo XIII papacy. The high relief medal shows the bust of pope Leo XIII facing left on the obverse with the legend "LEO XIII.PONT.MAX.AN.XVII" surrounding it. The medal was designed by Bianchi. The reverse of the medal shows the image a female personification of the Catholic Church seated left, holding cross and observing St. Francis Xavier (Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta), who instructs two natives. The front of a building, the façade of the seminary is in background. There is the legend "FILII*TVI*INDIA*ADMINISTRI*TIBI*SALVTIS" (your own sons, India, will be the heralds of your salvation) surrounding the image. The reverse also has a legend in three lines in exergue, "XAVERIO • AVSPICE / ET • PATRONO*MDCCCLXXXXIV". The medal is lightly toned and has great eye appeal. It is graded by NGC as Mint State MS62 and comes in a plastic holder so labeled. A truly 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: 1894.
Origin: Vatican or Papal/Roman States.
Artist: Francesco Bianchi.
Weight and Size: Silver medal ~43 millimeters in diameter.
Maker: Struck by the Mint of Rome. Marks: BIANCHI on the bottom of the obverse.
Reference: Mazio 831.
Condition: The medal is in uncirculated condition and graded MS62 by NGC. It comes in a plastic holder sol labeled. The medal has no observable wear, and minimum surface marks. It is lightly toned and has great eye appeal. A great historic Catholic piece to add to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
