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Pius IX: Doctorine of the Immaculate Conception

Italian (Rome)
1854
Mint: Rome, Italy

Medium/Technique Metal; bronze
Dimensions Diameter and weight: 44 mm (1 3/4 in.)
Credit Line Bequest of Helen O. Bigelow
Accession NumberRES.23.188
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsMedals

Catalogue Raisonné Mazio, 704. Spink, 2280.
DescriptionCircular medal of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878), commemorating his proclamation of the doctorine of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 1854) at St. Peter's.

Obverse: Profile bust of Pius IX looking to proper right; inscribed at edge "PIVS IX·PONT MAX·ANNO·XI·" and under bust "[ ]·BIANCHI".

Reverse: Interior view of Saint Peter's with pope seated on throne at proper left surrounded by church officials and giving a blessing gesture to a large crowd with a vision of the Virgin, angels, and the Holy Spirit above; inscribed on feet of throne "[ ] BIANCHI" and in exergue "VI·ID·DEC·AN·CHR·MDCCCLIV/SINE LABECONCEPTA".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "PIVS IX·PONT MAX·ANNO·XI·" and under bust "[ ]·BIANCHI".

Reverse: Inscribed on feet of throne "[ ] BIANCHI" and in exergue "VI·ID·DEC·AN·CHR·MDCCCLIV/SINE LABECONCEPTA".
Provenance1923, Helen O. Bigelow; 1923, bequest of Helen O. Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: May 3, 1923)