Vatican, Papal State. An Order of Pius IX, Officer in Gold, c.1900 Province of China 5 mm (h) badge pinned

5 mm (h) badge pinned in place

wear and light soiling along the open edge of the liner and wear on the chin strap from active use

with only slight material fatigue evident

presenting lost of green enamels

Vatican, Papal State. An Order of Pius IX, Officer in Gold, c.1900 Province of China 5 mm (h) badge pinned(Ordine di Pio IX). Instituted June 17th, 1847. A scarce award of extremely fine craftsmanship, in 18kt Gold, consisting of a blue enameled eight pointed star with rays of sun emanating from the center of the award between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a circular central white enameled medallion inscribed Pius IX, surrounded by a Gold ring inscribed with Virtuti et Merito (Virtue and Merit), the reverse of the same design, the central