Historical Medals

PAPAL STATES, Defence of the Rights of the Church, 1869, a gilt-bronze medal by F. Speranza, bust of Pius IX in robes right, rev. boat sailing to right in a stormy sea, three apostles imploring a sleeping and reclined figure of Christ to awaken, 48mm (Bartolotti XXIV, 45). Reverse rim bruise at 9 o’clock, usual raised die flaw above tvam, otherwise extremely fine, rare as a gilt medal £150-£200

The legend on the reverse almost certainly refers to the political situation which led to the end of the Papal States as an entity