ITALY. Papal States. Leo XIII (Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci), 1878-1903. Medal (Bronze, 42 mm, 39.46 g, 12 h), opening of the Vatican Secret Archives, by Francesco Bianchi, Rome, Anno VIII = 1885. LEO · XIII · PONT · MAX · ANNO · VIII / F · BIANCHI Capped bust of Leo XIII to left, wearing stola. Rev. HISTORIA · FVGENTIVM · TESTIS · TEMPORVM · VERITAS · LVCEM · ADFERT · ERVDITAE · POSTERTATIMENDACIO · PROFLIGATO · REIECTO Allegorical representations of Truth and Fame to either side of Angel holding parchment on which is written LEONIS XIII EPIS; to the side, a boy leaning on a plaque inscribed HISTORIA LVX VERITATIS. Rinaldi 79. Attractive brown surfaces. Extremely fine.

From the Dr. Pelc Dens Sapientiae Collection, USA.