Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti of Senigallia. Pope from 1846 to 1878. Restoration of the papal altar in St. John in Lateran. Silver medal of maximum module 1851 Year VI. By Nicola Cerbara and Giuseppe Bianchi. (Silver, 82.10 mm, 257,35 g). PIVS IX PONT MAX Bust left with zucchetto, mozzetta and stole adorned with the pope insignia, the Dove, grapes and plant spirals; below the bust, NIC CERBARA F; all within a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Rev. PIVS IX P M BASILICAE LATERAN ALTARE MAX AD VETEREM FORMAM RESTIT AC SPLENDIDIORI CVLTV INSTAVR Interior view of St. John in Lateran with the restored high altar beneath Gothic baldacchino; in exergue, AN D MDCCCLI; below, G. BIANCHI. Mazio 693. Bartolotti 1971, 4. Bartolotti 1988, p. 103, VI – n. 7. Beautifully toned. Extremely Fine/Uncirculated. Extremely rare. Ex UBS 82, 20 January 2009, lot 1949 (sold for 1900 CHF) The medal was minted to commemorate the restoration of the altar of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. John in Laterano. Bartolotti asserts at page 23: " I have never seen this medal even in silver".