Papal states Lot n° 89

Papal. Pius IX (1846-1878). Medal of homage offered by Pius IX and the Vatican State to Christophe Juchault de Lamoricière, Rome November 6, 1860 (Gold - 61,5mm - 207,75g). Effigy of the General on the right. R/ SE ET ANTE ACTOS TRIVMPHOSPRO PETRI SEDE LVBENS DEVOVIT and list of dignitaries (M. ANTICI MATTEI SEN. I. RICCI A. BRAZZA F. DEL BUFALO L. ALIBRANDI A. DALL'OLIO I. PULIERI P. MEROLLI COS.) SPQR Medal struck in Rome by the Vatican engraver C. Voigt. In 1860, after having asked for the authorization to the emperor, Lamoricière devoted himself to the pontifical cause, the Holy See being threatened by the troops of Giuseppe Garibaldi as well as by Piedmont-Sardinia which fights to unify Italy under the crown of its king Victor-Emmanuel. Pope Pius IX's secret cameraman, Xavier de Merode, a former military officer who had become a pro-army minister, decided to call on General de Lamoricière to reorganize and command the Papal army. To increase the number of troops, Lamoricière resorted to voluntary enlistment and appealed to the Catholic States. But his enthusiasm and experience were no match for the vastly superior powers: the defeat at Castelfidardo on September 18, 1860 marked the end of the adventure. Nevertheless, he pursued a mission of military reform in the Vatican. French general and politician born in Nantes in 1806 and died near Amiens, 1865), Christophe Juchault de Lamoricière was a polytechnician, an engineering officer, at the head of the Zouaves, he took part in all the important affairs and became a legendary figure of the African army. Head of the first Arab office, he was a colonel after the capture of Constantine (1837). He was made lieutenant general in 1843. The submission of Abd el-Kader in 1847 was the crowning achievement of his efforts. Deputy of Mamers, Minister of War (June 1848), vice-president of the Legislative Assembly, opponent of the prince-president's policy, he was arrested during the coup d'état of December 2, 1851 and exiled for 7 years. Probably unique medal. Slight wear, hairlines. XF