Vatican. A Jubilee Medal of 1975 issued during the Papacy of Pope Paul VI

In silver, obverse marked "701 MI" (maker's number and province marked Milan), marked "800" (silver) and illustrating a right-facing Pope Paul VI, surrounded by the Latin inscription "PAULUS VI PONT MAX" and engraver marked "E. MANTRINI", reverse illustrating St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and inscribed in Latin "ANNO JVBILAEI ROMA MCMLXXV" above, measuring 34.5 mm in diameter, contact marks and surface wear, original ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The medal was issued to mark the Jubilee Year 1975 and awarded to those deemed to have rendered long and exceptional service to the Church. The tradition of Jubilee Years dates back to ancient biblical times - “You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee to you; and you shall return every man to his possession, and you shall return every man to his family” (Leviticus 25, 10-14). Pope Boniface VII instituted the first Christian Jubilee in 1300 through the Papal Bull "Antiquorum Fida Relatio" and the tradition continues, Pope Paul II having decreed in the mid-15th Century that Jubilees should be celebrated each 25 years.