dating: 1914 - 1922 provenance: State of the Vatican City, On the obverse bust (right) with the inscription 'BENEDICTVS PONT. MAX.' Opus 'S. G.'. Surrounded by a green-enameled laurel wreath with red berries (small missing parts). On the reverse 'BENE/MERENTI'. Complete with movable military trophy and ribbon An extremely rare decoration. The Medal of Military Merit was the highest honour besides Orders, conferred on Officers of the Armed Corps in defence of the Holy See, first instituted by Pope Gregory XVI after the Napoleonic wars. dimensions 3.1 x 4.7 cm.