(Ordo Pianus or Ordine Piano). Instituted in 1847. Three-piece construction, insignia in silver with blue and white enamels, mounted to a base in silver with eight blue enamelled star points, complemented by flames between each of the star points, the reverse cartouche in silver with blue enamels, measuring 60.5 mm (w) x 64.5 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, the centrepiece and the cartouche loose versus the body of the badge, on an incorrect full-length neck ribbon, near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of Pius is a papal order of knighthood originally founded by Pope Pius IV in 1560. The awarding of the order fell into disuse and was re-instituted by Pope Pius IX as a continuation on June 17, 1847. Currently, it is the highest honor conferred by the Holy See (being the Order of Christ and the Order of the Golden Spur currently dormant). It is awarded for personal services to the Pope and the Papacy, in five grades: Grand Collar, Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander and Knight. The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the gold Collar of the Order, usually to heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See. The Grand Cross is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, ordinarily given to resident Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post and rarely to exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society. The other ranks are rarely awarded, to lay Catholics often of noble birth, for extraordinary merit or deeds for the Church and society. The order is awarded to Catholics and, on occasion and only for diplomatic reasons, to non-Catholics and non-Christians as well.