Lot 838
838
Gregory XVI, Prize Medal for the Rome Academy of Archaeology, 1841, by Tommaso Mercandetti, IN APRICVM PROFERET, the Temple of Vesta, dated 1815 and signed in exergue, rev. text in five lines, this central medal, 41mm., in a wide border, SEDENTE D N GREGORIO XVI A V MMDXCIV, rev. ACHILLI GENNARELLIO PRAEMIA VIRTVTIS, 66mm., extremely fine, very rare
Gregory XVI, Prize Medal for the Rome Academy of Archaeology, 1841, by Tommaso Mercandetti, IN APRICVM PROFERET, the Temple of Vesta, dated 1815 and signed in exergue, rev. text in five lines, this central medal, 41mm., in a wide border, SEDENTE D N GREGORIO XVI A V MMDXCIV, rev. ACHILLI GENNARELLIO PRAEMIA VIRTVTIS, 66mm., extremely fine, very rare

Details
Gregory XVI, Prize Medal for the Rome Academy of Archaeology, 1841, by Tommaso Mercandetti, IN APRICVM PROFERET, the Temple of Vesta, dated 1815 and signed in exergue, rev. text in five lines, this central medal, 41mm., in a wide border, SEDENTE D N GREGORIO XVI A V MMDXCIV, rev. ACHILLI GENNARELLIO PRAEMIA VIRTVTIS, 66mm., extremely fine, very rare

Lot Essay

The centre of this medal, by Mercandetti, was first issued as a uniface prize medal under Pius VII (cf.Pat.73). The reverse with the legend was added soon after, and versions with wide borders were awarded during several successive pontificates.
The legend above the Temple of Vesta is taken from Horace, Ep.1,6,24, and can be translated 'he has brought it into the light'. The date A.V.2594 refers to the founding of the city of Rome, traditionally given as 753 B.C., giving us a date A.D.1841 for this medal.