Vatican, Papal State. A Miniature Pope Pius IX Bene Merenti Medal, c.1933 Republic of two days before his twenty-first

two days before his twenty-first birthday

numbered 851

the Militia List of 1890 shows him as that rank in the 32nd “Bruce” Battalion of Infantry

minimal signs of use

The interior contents consists of 112 paper stock pages featuring black-and-white images of various artillery pieces

Vatican, Papal State. A Miniature Pope Pius IX Bene Merenti Medal, c.1933 Republic of two days before his twenty-firstInstituted 1933. In silver gilt and enamels, featuring a cross with red enamelled border and inscription in between each arms reading N JUB HUM RED, the reverse presents the inscription PIVS XI. P. M. AXIII BENEMERENTI in blue enamels, surmounted by a papal coat of arms, measures 9. 6mm (w) x 24. 5 mm (h inclusive of Papal Insignia suspension), enamels intact, very fine.