Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti of Senigallia. Pope from 1846 to 1878. Rebuilding of the Basilica of S. Paolo. Bronze medal of maximum module 1865 Year XX. By Giuseppe Bianchi. (Bronze, 82.09 mm, 302 g). PIVS IX P M FRONTEM ET PRONAVM BASILICAE PAVLI APOSTOLI AB INCENDIO NOBILIVS RESTITVIT Façade of the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls with view of the portico; in exergue, AN MDCCCLXV; below, AL POLETTI ARCH INV and I BIANCHI S. Rev. PIVS IX P M BASILICAM PAVLI APOST AB INCENDIO REFECTAM SOLEMNI RITV CONSECRAVIT IV ID DEC MDCCCLIV Interior of the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, reconstructed in 1854. Below, on the right side of the floor, I BIANCHI F; in exergue, AL POLETTI ARCH INV. Bartolotti 1971, 15. Bartolotti 1988, p. 231-232, XX – n. 7. An impressive medal, boldly struck in high relief. Nearly Uncirculated. Very rare. Ex Tkalec, May 7, 2008 part II, lot 875. The medal commemorates the rebuilding of the Basilica of St. Paul which the fire in 1823 had almost completely destroyed. The majestic facade, covered with precious mosaics and preceeded by an impressive quadriportico with Corinthian granite columns, is combined with the splendid reverse of the Basilica of St. Paul already engraved in 1854 by Bianchi.