Vatican, State. A Pope Leo XIII Medal, by F.Bianchi, c.1882

An 1880-1881 Pope Leo XIII Medal by F.Bianchi - Leo XIII (1878-1903). Silver, engraver marked "F. BIANCHI.", obverse illustrating the left-facing bust of Pope Leo XIII and inscribed "LEO. XIII. PONT. MAX. ANNO. III.", issued in the third year of his reign (1880/1881), reverse illustrating Thomas Aquinas, with Jesus Christ holding a cross and holding the Bible to his right, representing the Church, and a woman with a flame over her head and holding a book to his left, representing Science, surrounded by the inscription "THOMAE. AQVIN. DOCTRINA. IN. PRISTINVM. DECVS. RESTITVTA." and inscribed "RENOVATVM. DIVINAE HVMANAEQ. SCIENTIAE FOEDVS" below, 44 mm, dark patina, light contact, edge nicks, better than very fine.