Vatican. A Leo Xiii (1878-1903) Benemerneti Medal, Bronze Grade, 3Rd Class, Type I, C.1878 Archive showing age and use

showing age and use

Upper of the belt fabricated from a machine-woven gold-coloured threading

stamped with the British Broad Arrow and marked "ENGLAND" above "B2" on the crossguard

with three slotted holes

Bartels' work achieved "quasi-official" status in Nazi Germany

Vatican. A Leo Xiii (1878-1903) Benemerneti Medal, Bronze Grade, 3Rd Class, Type I, C.1878 Archive showing age and useMedaglia Benemerenti. Instituted in 1878. In bronze, obverse illustrating the left facing bust of Pope Leo XIII, inscribed in in Latin "LEO XIII" to the left and "PONT MAX" to the right, engraver marked "F, BIANCHI.", reverse inscribed in Latin "BENE" over "MERENTI", measuring 29. 2 mm in diameter, bruised, edge nicks, accompanied by its period original ribbon, better than very fine.