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Alexander VII (1657) - The Plague

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in Papal Medals (currently in collection)

Silver. Diameter 35mm, 19.7 grams. Obverse: Bust of Alexander VII facing right, wearing a decorative cope. Reverse: Saint Peter descends from heaven, holding a key, towards victims of the plague. At the right is the angel of death, holding a skull and sword. St. Peter's Basilica can be seen in the left background.

Annual medal for Year III (1657) of Alexander VII's reign. The dreaded plague appeared in Rome in May of 1956. Pope Alexander VII took charge of the situation and instituted measures to try and control the outbreak. He would also make frequent public appearances to calm the people. By June of 1657, the plague in Rome was coming to an end, though Rome lost about one-eighth its population (15,000 people) in that time.

Item record created Jan. 16, 2009.
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item record in VRA Core 4.0