PIUS XII




(March 2, 1939 – October 9, 1958)

 Pius XII portrait by Karsh





Pius XII, 1939 AE
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS + PP + XII ++ +PONTIFEX + MAXIMVS I

DIE•II•MARTII•MCMXXXIX•AD | PETRI•CATHEDRAM•FELICITER•EVECTVS


Half figure of the pope, l., gloved hands folded, wearing papal tiara, fanon, pallium and chasuble. Coronation: March 12, 1939.

(signed beneath gloves)

Papal coat of arms, surmounted by the Tiara.
Rev.:


OPVS • IVST|ITIAE • PAX


Papal coat-of-arms upon crossed keys joined by cord and tassels, surmounted by Papal Tiara (Triregnum). Motto on stylized ribbon, bordered with dots. Circle of tiny fleurs de lys surrounds the whole.:



Sculptor: Albert de Jäeger
Calò, -.



Pius XII, 1940 AE
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • A • II


Bust of the pope, r., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole. The stole is embroiderd with the word PAX.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Allegorical figure of Justice, seated on a throne.
Rev.:

OPVS • IVST|ITIAE • PAX


Allegorical figure of Justice, seated on a throne, a cross in her left hand, a balance scales in her right; weapons of war under her right foot. An olive branch below the throne. The arms of the throne are inscribed:

IVSTITIA and CHARITAS


Calò, p. 81, #7.
DeLuca 147.

 

Pius XII, 1940

AE
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • AN • III


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Allegorical figure of Justice, seated on a throne.


Rev.:

MISEREOR • SVPER • TVRBAM


Christ comforting various victims of war, including a fallen soldier.

 



Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 82, #9.
DeLuca 147.






Pius XII, 1942 AE
60 mm

Obv.:

PIVS •XII•PONTIFEX•MAXIMVS || ANNO • XXV | AB • INITO • EPISCOPATV

(in field:) MDCCCC|XLII

MISTRVZZI

Bust of Pius XII, l., wearing zucchetto and cope.


Pius XII being consecrated Titular Archbishop of Sardes in 1917 Rev.:

IVSTITIA•ET•IVDICIVM•PR | AEPARATIO•SEDIS•TVAE

(in exergue:) DIE•XIII•MAII•A•D | MCMXVII

LORIOLI•MILANO•ROMA


Archbishop Pacelli, seated on a sedella, at left, being presented with a croizier by his episcopal consecrator, Pope Benedict XV, at right, in Mass vestments and pallium. May 13, 1917.


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 82 #10.
DeLuca 208.


Pius XII, 1943 AG
44 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX | • MAXIMVS • ANNO • IV

MISTRVZZI


Bust of Pius XII, r., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


Three angels with trumpets flying above the Vatican Rev.:

SVMMVS • PONTIFEX • PER • AERIS • VNDAS • ALLOQVITVR

(ion ribbon:) IVSTITIA | CARITAS | PAX

Three angels in flight above the Dome of the Basilica of St. Peter's, each blowing a trumpet. A ribbon with inscription twines among them. Below them, stylized rays, representing radio waves.



Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 84 #14.
DeLuca 153.


bust of Pius XII, 1945 AG
44 mm

Obv.:

PIVS• XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO •VI

MISTRVZZI


Bust of Pius XII, r., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


Coat of arms of the Pope, and inscription

Rev.:

DEFENSOR CIVITATIS

(in field:) DIE XII | MAR || MCM | XLV

Allegorical winged figure carrying a Cross and a shield (with Pius XII's coat-of-arms on the interior) standing before some of Rome's monuments, the Capitol and Trajan's Column at the left, and St Peter's Basilica on the right. March 12, 1945.


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 87 #16.
DeLuca 159.



 

bust of Pius XII, 1945

AG
37 mm


Obv.:

PIVS | XII • P • M || A(nno) | VII

MISTRVZZI


Bust of Pius XII, r., wearing zucchetto and cope.


Coat of arms of the Pope, and inscription,written in detail at rightof photo Rev.:

PIVS • XII • P• M | CARDINALIBVS • XXXII • DE | PLVRIBVS • QVAM • ANTE •GEN | TIBVS • DELECTIS • S • R • E | SENATVM • SVPPLEVIT | XII • CAL • MART | MCMXLVI

PAGANI

The Stemma of Pope Pius XII above the inscription, "Pius XII increased the College with thirty-two cardinals chosen from more countries than ever before. February 18, 1946."


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 92 #20.
DeLuca 214.

By the end of January, 1946, there were only thirty-seven cardinals, the lowest number since 1517. On February 18, 1946, Pius XII named thirty-two new cardinals, including four Americans, but only four members of the Roman Curia. The Italian element in the college fell below 50%. For an analysis of the group, see F. A. Burkle-Young, Passing the Keys (1999), 61-63.

 

bust of Pius XII, 1945

AG
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONT • |MAX • ANNO VIII

MISTRVZZI


Bust of Pius XII, r., wearing mozzetta and stole.


Coat of arms of the Pope, and inscription,written in detail at rightof photo

Rev.:

+ E • QVINQVE • TERRARVM • ORBIS • PARTIBVS • XXXII • CARDINALIBVS • CREATIS



Assembly in St. Peter's Basilica, before the Altar of the Throne. Pope, seated on his throne, receiving the hommage of individual new cardinals. Prelates seated in rows on either side.


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 92 #19.



Pius XII: Anno Santo 1950 ANNO JUBILAEI MCML

Jubilee Year 1950


Pius XII, wearing cassock and zucchetto in the clouds above St. Peter's, blessing. View of the Vatican Basilica and the Piazza S. Pietro


Bust of Pope Pius XII AG
28 mm

Obv.:



PIVS • XII • PONT • MAX • ANN(o) • JUBILAEI • MCML

Bust of Pius XII, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(The suspender displays the Christogram on a shield)
Ceremony of the Opening of the Holy Door, Christmas, 1949
Rev.:

• INGRESSVS • IN • EA • CONFITEBOR • DOMINO •


Ceremony of the Opening of the Holy Door: The Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, standing open, with a cross shining within.


(The suspender carries the inscription:) MISTRVZZI | FECIT | ROMAE | 1950





Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)


Pius XII AG
56 mm

Obv.:



PIVS . XII • P • M | A(nno) • MAGNI • JUBILAEI

Bust of Pius XII, r., wearing zucchetto and cope.



The Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, standing open
Rev.:

PORTA | SANCTA | MCML


The Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, standing open, with a cross shining within. Statues of St. Peter and St. Paul on either side of the doorway.






Minter: A. E. Lorioli Fratelli, Milan


Pius XII, Jubilee Year of 1950

AG and AE
60 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONT • MAX • ANNO • JVBILAEI • MCML

(at the Pope's left shoulder:) MP.INC | JOHNSON
(at the Pope's left shoulder:) E. MONTI


Bust of pope, facing right, wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and stole.


Opening of the Holy Door, Christmas 1949


Rev.:

(in exergue:) ANNO • JUB • MCML

(on the step at left;) JOHNSON (at right:) E.MONTI | MP.INC

Opening of the Holy Door, Christmas 1949. Jesus with two angels in the clouds above.

 

Engraver: Emilio Monti
Minter: S. Johnson, Milan
Calò, p. 106 #35, TAV. VIII



Pius XII, blessing of the Holy Year AG washed on bronze
50 mm



Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONT • MAX • A v • JVBILAEI • ROMAE • MCML


Seated pope, facing left, his hand raised in blessing; wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and stole.


The Basilica of St. Peter and the Piazza S. Pietro


Rev.:

(on ribbon:) PAX • HOMINIBVS • BONAE • VOLVNTATIS

(at bottom:) ANNO • JUBILEI • ROMAE • MCML

The Basilica of St. Peter and the Piazza S. Pietro, with three angels holding a ribbon below; above, the Christogram in a wreath; at top, the Holy Trinity accompanied by numerous angels, some with trumpets.

Engraver: E. Boninsegna
Minter: A. E. Lorioli Fratelli


Pius XII AG
40 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • JVBILAEI • MCML


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto and cope
The Assumption of the B.V.M.
Rev.:

MARIA • DEI • PARENS • IN • CAELVM • ANIMA • ET • CORPORE • EVECTA • PRONVNTIATVR • CAL • NOV • A • MCML


The Blessed Virgin Mary being raised up to heaven by a choir of angels.

[Commemoration of the Doctrine of the Assumption of the B.V.M., November 1, 1950.]

Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, 41.
DeLuca 224.



Pius X, on the occasion of his being recognized as Blessed Pius AG
40 mm

Obv.:

BEATVS PIVS X

(in field:) D•IIIIVN | MCMLI

(below the bust:) P•MORBIDVCCI (and) PAGANI


Bust of the late Pope, now Blessed Pius, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.
Christ, seated, with Saints Peter and Paul.
Rev.:

MCMIII + INSTAVRARE OMNIA IN CHRISTO + MCMXIV

PIO XII | PONTIFICE || MAXIMO | A • XIII

Christ seated in majesty with a halo, holding a book in his left hand, with St. Peter on his right hand and Saint Paul on his left. At his feet, the coat of arms of Pius XII, surmounted by the Papal Tiara and crossed Keys.

[Issued to commemorate the raising of Pius X to the rank of Blessed, June 3, 1951]


cf. Calò, p. 115.
Sculptor: Publio Morbiducci
Mint: Pagani

 

Pius XII AG
40 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • A • XIV

(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.
The aedicula beneath the high altar in St. Peter's Basilica.
Rev.:

• APOSTOLORVM • PRINCIPIS • SEPVLCRVM • REPERTVM


View of the aedicula beneath the High Altar of St. Peter's.
[Excavations conducted beneath the Constantinian floor of the Basilica of St. Peter (1940-1957) revealed a cemetery, in which a marble box plastered into an ancient wall, claimed to contain the bones of St. Peter himself, was found.]


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 117, #45.
DeLuca 184.

 

Pius XII, 1953 AG
44 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTI FEX • MAX • ANN •XV

(to right of the bust:) MISTRVZZI


Bust of the pope, r., wearing glasses, zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.
Pope placing the Galero on the head of a kneeling Cardinal.
Rev.:

• EX • MVLTIS • GENTIBVS • PVRPVRATORVM • PATRVM • ORDO • COMPLETVS

Ceremony of the imposition of the new red hat (galero) on each new cardinal. Pope on throne surrounded by masters of ceremonies. January 15, 1953.



Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 118, #47.


On January 12, 1953, Pope Pius XII named twenty-four new cardinals, to bring the Sacred College up to its full capacity of seventy members. Four were papal ambassadors, including Angelo Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII (1958-1963). Three were curial officials. Seventeen were bishops of important churches: three in Italy, two in France, two in Spain, one in Germany, Ireland, Yugoslavia, and Poland. In the western hemisphere, there were new cardinals for Canada, the USA, Ecuador, Brazil and Colombia. Bombay India received one red hat. The rest of Asia and all of Africa were ignored. The ceremonies of elevation took place on January 15, 1953. For an analysis of the group, see F. A. Burkle-Young, Passing the Keys (1999), 65-68.


Pius XII AE
39 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • MCMLIII

(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, and cope (no glasses)..
The aedicula beneath the high altar in St. Peter's Basilica.
Rev.:

PONT • COLLEGIVM • | FOED • AMERICAE | CIVITATVM • A • | FVNDAMEN | TIS • EXSTRV | CTVM


Above, the arms of the North American College in Rome; below, St. Peter's Basilica and piazza; at bottom, new buildings of the North American College in Rome



Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 121, #50.



restoration of a medal of Pius X (AV, AG,) AE
44 mm

Obv.:

PIVS • X • PONT | MAX • ANNO • I •

(below the bust:) BIANCHI


Bust of Pope Pius X, r., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.
(restoration of a medal of the first year of Pius X's reign, Mazio 863)
Inscription commemorating the canonization of Pius X.
Rev.:

PIVM • X | CVIVS • VIRTVS • INCLITA | ECCLESIAM• LAETIFICAT | PIVS • XII • PONT• MAX | SANCTORVM • FASTIS • ADSCRIPSIT | IV • KAL • IVN • A • MCMLIV


"Pius XII, Supreme Pontiff, inscribed Pius X, in whose outstanding virtue the Church rejoices, on the lists of the Saints, May 29, 1954"


Above, the arms of Pius X; below, the arms of Pius XII


Calò, p. 118, #48.


[Calò appears to believe that the medal was issued on June 4, and refers to the Decree of Canonization of May 29; he misunderstands that the medal is using the ancient Roman system of dating.]




Pius XII, 1954 AG
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • XVI


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Rev.:

MARIALEM•ANNVM•RELIGIOSE•AVSPICATVR

(in exergue:) MCMLIV

Pius XII, in a cope, kneeling on a faldstool with his arms on it, before the column of the Immaculate Conception near the Piazza di Spagna


[Commemorates the declaration of the Marian Year, 1954}


Calò, p. 122, #51. Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)



Pius XII, 1954 AE
36 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • XVI


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto and cope.


(to r. of shoulder of the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Rev.:

A•PIO•XII•P•M•DEIPARA•VIRGO•COELI•TERRAEQUE
•PRAEDICATA•REGINA

(jn field, above) MP | ØY (in field, below:) MCM|LIIII

The Virgin Mary, crowned, with a scepter in her right hand, seated on a throne, the world at her feet with a serpent under her heel, attended by two cherubs..

[Commemorates the declaration of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth in the Marian Year of 1954}


Calò, p. 123, #53. Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)



Pius XII, 1956 AE
36 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • MCMLVI


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(to r. of shoulder of the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Justice, Charity and Peace, the Pope's 80th birthday medal.
Rev.:

• IVSTITI|AE • VINDEX • CARITATIS • ALTOR • POPVL|ORVM • PROVEHIT| • PACEM


An Arcade, with three bays, inscribed IVSTITIA • CARITAS • PAX above. In each bay, an allegorical statue: the first a male with a sword holding a church protectively; the second a woman,.a child in her arms and another at her feet; the third a female, with a dove in her hand.

Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 127, #59.
DeLuca 241.

 

Pius XII, 1956

(AV) AG (AE)
44 mm


Obv.:


PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • XVIII


Bust of the pope, r., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth.


Rev.:

OPIFICVM •EORVMQUE• CONDVCTORVM • CONSOCIATA • NAVITAS



Pius XII, seated on platform on steps of St. Peter's Basilica, receiving representatives of the Catholic Association of Italian Workers on their tenth anniversary, May 1,1955.



Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 126, #58.

 

Pius XII, 1956 AG
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • ANNO • XIX


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth.


Rev.:


INNOCENTIVS•XI•INTER•BEATOS•CAELITES•A•PIO•XII •P•M•RELATVS•D•VII•OCT•A•MCMLVI


Standing figure of Pope Innocent XI, raised to the rank of "Blessed", October 7, 1956.


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, p. 123, #53.

 

Pius XII, 1956 AG
44 mm


Obv.:

PIVS • XII • PONTIFEX • MAXIMVS • A • XX


Bust of the pope, l., wearing zucchetto, mozzetta and stole.


(below the bust:) MISTRVZZI
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Rev.:


APOSTOLICA•SEDES•VNIV•EXPOSITIONEM•BRVXELLENSEM•PARTICIPAT•

(retrograde:)  MCMLVIII


Standing figure representing the Church (or Mary), with a Cross, welcoming people. The Vatican participated in the Bruxelles World Fair in 1958.


Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi (1880-1960)
Calò, —.




© 01/16/2006; 01/25/2006, 03/08/2006, 05/26/2006, 10/08/2006, 10/15/2006, 12/21/2006, 02/15/2007, 06/13/2007, 07/13/2007, 06/09/2008, 01/13/2009




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