1927 Vatican Pius XI Silver Annual Medal Anno VI Minor Roman Seminary Mistruzzi
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 6th year of the pope's reign. It was issued to commemorate the building of the Minor Roman Seminary building. The obverse shows the bust of the pope facing left with the inscription "PVIS.XI.PONT.MAX.A.VI" surrounding the pontiff’s bust along the edge with the notation MISTRUZZI below the pontiff’s bust. The reverse shows the front of the seminary building surrounded by the legend "SEMINARIO.MIN.ROM.AD.VAT.AMPLIANDO" which translates to Minor Roman Seminary to be Enlarged in the Vatican. The reverse has the legend "LAPI.AUSPIC.P/A.MCMXXVII" (The first brick is laid with the best of hopes) in exergue. The medal is uncirculated with clear fields and retains most of its original luster. It does have some dark toning along the top edges of both sides. This is a nice-looking medal with great eye appeal, which would make a worthy addition to any collection. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1927.
Origin: Vatican City.
Artist: A. Mistruzzi.
Weight and Size: The medal should weigh ~35.6 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. 81 and Mazio 886.
Condition: I would grade the medal as uncirculated and retaining quite a bit of its original luster. The medal has small areas of dark toning along the top edges of both sides. The fields are clear with minimum surface marks. The design shows no observable wear and the medal 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.
