An 1860 Castelfidardo Medal (Pro Petri Sede)

Vatican: Silver, 39.5 mm, swivel suspension, original ribbon, light contact, near extremely fine. Footnote: This medal was instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1860 and awarded to participants in the Papal forces at the Battle of Castelfidardo. The battle was fought at Castelfidardo in the Marche region of eastern Italy near Ancona on September 18, 1860 between approximately 60,000 Piedmontese under General Cialdini and about 10,000 Papal volunteers under General de Lamoriciere drawn from across Europe and especially from the ranks of the French aristocracy. The result was a bloody victory for the Piedmontese.