Miniature gilt metal cross patonce with fleurs-de lis between the arms with laterally pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion with a head and shoulders portrait of Pope Leo XIII, founder of the medal, facing left, within a ring inscribed ‘LEO XIII P. M. ANNO X’ (Leo XIII, Pope, the tenth year of his pontificate), the branches of the cross with comets which, with the fleurs-de-lis between the branches, form the coat of arms of the Pecci family from which Pope Leo XIII came; the reverse with a circular central medallion with the arms of the Holy See (the Papal crown surmounting crossed keys) within a ring inscribed ‘PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE’ (for Church and Pontiff), the four branches of the cross inscribed ‘PRID’ ‘CAL.’ ‘IAN.’ ‘1888’; diameter 17.43mm (0.69 inch); on original ribbon. The ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ Medal was instituted by Pope Leo XIII on 17th July 1888 in memory of his golden jubilee in holy orders and was awarded to the men and women who had made a significant contribution to the success of the jubilee and the associated Vatican Exposition. It was made a permanent distinction only in October 1898 and rewards both clergy and lay persons for outstanding service to the Pontiff or the Catholic Church. The medal is awarded in three grades - gold, silver or bronze; the present example is ‘gold’
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