ITALY. Papal Coinage. Pius IX, 1846-1878. Medal 1854 (Silver, 82 mm, 279.87 g, 12 h), on the dedication of the restored Basilica of San Paolo fuori le mura. By I. Bianchi. PIVS IX• - PONT•MAX Bust of Pius IX to left, wearing mozzetta and mantum.
Rev. PIVS•IX•P•M•BASILICAM•PAVLI• APOST•AB•INCENDIO•REFECTAM•SOLEMNI•RITV•CONSECRAVIT•IV•ID•DEC•MDCCCLIV View of the Basilica of San Paolo. Edge inscription: '(floral symbol) Presented to Mr. John Scriber as a mark of Esteem & Regard from Paul Cullen ArchBishop of Dublin • March 9th 1863' (all in Neo-Gothic script). Bartolotti XXIV/9. A beautifully toned example of this impressive large silver medal. In original presentation case. Virtually as struck.
From a Swiss collection of Papal medals.
The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four major papal basilicas. It was unfortunately destroyed in a devastating fire in 1823 and reconstructed to modified plans in the years 1825-1869, with some work continuing into the 20th century. In 1854, the Basilica was dedicated by Pius IX in the presence of fifty cardinals, a monumental event duly commemorated by this impressive silver medal weighing no less than 280 g.
Our example distinguishes itself by having been inscribed on the edge, in elaborate Neo-Gothic script, with 'Presented to Mr. John Scriber as a mark of Esteem & Regard from Paul Cullen ArchBishop of Dublin • March 9th 1863'. Thus, this medal was a personal present by Paul Cullen (1803-1878), the Archbishop of Dublin and first Irish cardinal, a highly important figure in the 19th century church, not just in Ireland, but also in the Vatican, as he crafted the first draft of the incredibly influential formula for papal infallibility at the First Vatican Council in 1869-1870. The recipient of the gift, on the other hand, John Scriber, was official watchmaker to the Queen and the Lord Lieutenant. Born in Switzerland, Scriber first moved to Feldkirch, a small town in southern Germany where the watchmaking industry flourished in the 19th century. Here, he is recorded, in 1846, as a 'Schildermacher' under his birth name Johann Schreiber, before moving, now called John Scriber, to Dublin, Ireland, where he opened his atelier at D’Olier Street in the early 1860s.
