Rare POPE PIUS IX (1792-1878) BRONZE MINT MEDAL 1854 ANNO V Papal Vatican GIUSEPPE GIROMETTI

Here is an extremely rare Papal Vatican BRONZE Mint Medal of POPE PIUS IX, minted in 1854 by Artist GIUSEPPE GIROMETTI, Italian (1780–1851). It retains its original dark patina and has never been polished. An incredible 164 years old medal. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA has the only example I have seen (see museum description below and picture of website). It will make an incredible addition to any collection. Don't let this one get away.

The front says PIUS IX PONTIFEX MAXIMUS ANNO V. Translated to "Pope Pius the Ninth in year five. Signed G. GIROMETTI F.

The reverse says DIRUPTUS EST DRACO ET DIXIT DANIEL ECCE QUEM COLEBATIS. Signed G. GIROMETTI F.

The condition is EXCELLENT. There are no scratches or damage at all and looks perfect.

Measurements:
1-3/4 in. high (44 mm).


Description of the medal by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA:
Circular medal of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878).

Obverse: Profile bust of Pius IX looking to proper right; inscribed at edge “PIVS IX·PONTIFEX MAXIMVS ANNO V·” and under bust “G·GIROMETTI”.

Reverse: Man standing at center in short tunic and cloak with sea monster at feet and broken column at proper left; inscribed at edge “DISPVPTVS EST DRACO ET DIXIT DANIEL ECCE QVEM COLEBATIS” and in exergue “G·GIROMETTI F·”.

Inscription
Obverse: Inscribed at edge "PIVS IX·PONTIFEX MAXIMVS ANNO V·" and under bust "G·GIROMETTI".

Reverse: Inscribed at edge "DISPVPTVS EST DRACO ET DIXIT DANIEL ECCE QVEM COLEBATIS" and in exergue


Additional information:
Pope Pius IX (Latin: Pius IX; 13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, reigned from 16 June 1846 to his death in 1878. He was the longest-reigning elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church — over 31 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council (1869-1870), which decreed papal infallibility, but the council was cut short due to the loss of the Papal States.

Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, meaning that Mary was conceived without original sin. Pius IX also conferred the Marian title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, to a famous Byzantine icon from Crete entrusted to the Redemptorists.

He was also the last pope to rule as the Sovereign of the Papal States, which fell completely to Italian nationalist armies in 1870 and were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. After this, he was referred to - chiefly by himself - as the "Prisoner of the Vatican".

Artist's Biography from the book "Medals and Plaquettes in the Ulrich Middeldorf Collection at the Indiana University Art Museum" by Arne R. Flaten
GIUSEPPE GIROMETTI
A celebrated sculptor, gem engraver, and medalist, Girometti (1780- 1851) was a pupil of Pacetti, and worked at the Papal Mint for Pius VII, Leo XII, Pius VIII, Gregory XVI, and Pius IX. He also  executed a series of medals of famous Italians in collaboration with his son Pierro and Nicola Cerbara. Girometti and Cerbara were among the artists who supplied engraved gems to Prince Stanislaw Poniatowski of Poland (1754- 1833).
Refs. Forrer II. pp. 273- 274; VII. pp. 367- 368; VIII, p. 350; T-B XIII, pp.189- 190; DOA XII, p. 738; Lewis 1997