The attention-grabbing Vatican medal-proiezionidiborsa.it
Over the decades, medals have been issued in some states, such as the Vatican, which today are worth thousands of euros. One of the most interesting dates back to 1961, when the pope was John XXIII.
The Vatican State has always been very active in the minting of commemorative coins, medals, stamps and other items attractive to collectors. One of the most interesting issues is certainly the one concerning the annual Medal dedicated to theEncyclical Mater et Magista.
This is a very important document, promulgated by Pope John XXIII in May 1961. In the encyclical, the Pope broadened the teaching of the Catholic Church, giving more prominence to the social issues weather. The document therefore underlines the value of the person and the economic freedom of each individual, as well as the importance of pursuing responsible socialization in compliance with rights of the person.
Here is the Vatican medal dedicated to the encyclical of John XXIII
Inside the medal some stand out symbols really interesting. On the straight, we find the profile of the Pope in office, John XXIII, facing left and adorned with camauro, mozzetta and stole. At the top is the inscription: “IOANNES XXIII PONTIFEX MAXIMVS“, while below we can read the author’s signature “GIAMPAOLI” and the year of the Pope’s pontificate, i.e. “YEAR IV“.
On the reverseInstead, we have the symbolic representation of the content of the Encyclical Mater et Magista. At the center we find the allegory of Church, represented by a woman who holds a sprout in her right hand and holds a book in her left. Behind it, workers appear at work (on the right) and a family (on the left). At the top is the inscription “MATER ET MAGISTRA”, while below the date of the encyclical, i.e. “May 15, 1961”.
How many pieces have been minted and how much are they worth?
This commemorative medal, issued on June 29, 1961has always attracted the attention of numismatists and collectors, not only for its historical and cultural value, but also for the exquisite workmanship and extreme rarity. With a diameter of 44 mm, it was minted in four different varieties, which are distinguished by material, weight and circulation. So, here is the Vatican medal in different versions. We have:
- that in bronzewith a weight of 34.35 g and a circulation of 2,000 pieces;
- that in silverwith a weight of 38.91 g and a circulation of 3,500 pieces;
- that in goldwith a weight of 64.10 g and a circulation of 85 pieces;
- and another in goldwith a weight of 64.10 g and a circulation of 100 pieces.
Apart from this last specimen, which is a re-mint re-mint, we can estimate the value of the other pieces, also by observing the prices to whom they were sold in the various auctions. The bronze specimen, for example, could be worth the €30-40; while the one in silver, always considering the pieces in Fior di Conio, could be worth between 90 and 120 €.
The real highlight, however, as it was easy to imagine, is the gold specimen. In fact, in an auction that took place in December 2016, the medal was sold for a good price €2,600, about 600 € more than the actual value of the gold contained in it. Considering current gold prices, this is a coin that could also sell for around €3,500.
