Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti of Senigallia. Pope from 1846 to 1878. Escape of the Pope to Gaeta. Bronze medal of maximum module undated, but 1848-Year III. By Nicola Cerbara. (Bronze, 82.35 mm, 230.41 g). PIVS IX PONT MAX Bust left with zucchetto, mozzetta and stole adorned with The Pope Insignia, the Dove and grapes and plant spirals; below the bust, NIC CERBARA F; all within a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Rev. Panoramic view of Gaeta from the Cappuccini hill; in the background, the port and the castle. With decorative convex ring in relief, inside the frame. Bartolotti 1971, 3. Bartolotti 1988, p. 352, SD-42/a. D'Auria 233 var. Ricciardi 199 var. Extremely Fine. Extremely rare medal, minted in very few specimens (this is the only specimen that has been auctioned off in recent decades). Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Milan auction 68, December 4, 2012, lot 283 (sold for Eur 3750). The medal was minted in Rome when Pius IX came back. It is probably the prototype of the medal struck in gold and distributed as a gift to the diplomats who helped and accompanied the Pope to Gaeta and contributed to his restoration to power in Rome. The minting of this medal with a decorative rounded ring in relief is probably due to the use of a pair of dies that Cerbara had kept for himself and which he used privately. Unfortunately it is impossible to establish their number. He probably used (but there is no supporting documentation) a Florentine establishment for these bronze private restrikes.