Vatican, Papal State. A Cased Order of Pope Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, c. 1880 United Republic of measuring 80 mm (w) x

measuring 80 mm (w) x 64 mm (h)

Decorations bestowed to American and European recipients are believed to have a 25% survival rate

unissued badge

5) A group of five mismatched Kriegsmarine buttons

Vatican, Papal State. A Cased Order of Pope Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, c. 1880 United Republic of measuring 80 mm (w) x(Ordine di Pio IX). Instituted June 17th, 1847. (Type I, c. 1880). Constructed of 18kt Gold, consisting of a eight pointed star with blue enameled arms and with flames emanating from the center of the cross between the arms, with a central circular white enameled medallion inscribed Pius IX in gold, surrounded by a Golden ring inscribed with Virtuti et Merito (Virtue and Merit) in capitalized lettering, the reverse with a central circular white