Vatican, Papal State. A Scarce Order of Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, in 18kt Gold, c.1860 Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic tarnish spots evident on the

tarnish spots evident on the KM

presenting the occupied zones of Germany

Strassburg)

Two strips of dark brown wood comprise the handle grip

Vatican, Papal State. A Scarce Order of Pius IX, III. Class Knight, Type I, in 18kt Gold, c.1860 Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic tarnish spots evident on the(Ordine di Pio IX). Instituted June 17th, 1847. Type I (c. 1860). A scarce award of extremely fine jeweler craftsmanship, in 18kt Yellow Gold, consisting of a dark blue enameled 8 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