Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti of Senigallia. Pope from 1846 to 1878. Reconstruction of the St. Paul Basilica. Undated gilt bronze medal. By Giuseppe Girometti. (Gilted bronze, 50.84 mm, 65.61 g). PIVS IX PONTIFEX MAXIMVS Bust right with zucchetto, mozzetta and stole decorated with arabesques. Rev. St. Paul Basilica gutted by fire with rubble in foreground. In exergue, BASILIC S PAVLI EX INCENDIO XV IVL MDCCCXXIII; below, GIROMETTI FEC. Bartolotti 1988, p. 352-353, SD – n. 43/a. Extremely Fine. Rare.
Ex Tkalec, May 7, 2008, lot 892.
The reverse refers to the burning of St. Paul Basilica in 1823. The Church was completely rebuilt in 1854.