1931 Vatican Saint Anthony of Padua Commemorative Medal (52mm, Silver-plated Bronze) MS63 | NGC Certified | GoldSilverJapan


 Chapter 1: What is the St. Anthony of Padua Memorial Medal, created in 1931?


 The 1931 Vatican St. Anthony of Padua commemorative medal is a large commemorative medal produced to mark the 700th anniversary of the death of St. Anthony, one of the most revered saints in the Catholic Church. This medal is a substantial 52mm in diameter and features a bronze body with a silvered finish (Silvered Bronze). It is registered with the NGC as **"1931-Dated Vatican Bronze St. Anthony of Padua Johnson (52mm) Silvered Bronze"** and this particular piece has been graded MS63**. Unlike typical circulating currency, this medal was produced with an emphasis on religious art, history, and commemorative significance, and is highly valued not only by coin collectors but also by collectors interested in religious art and Vatican history. 1931 marked the 700th anniversary of St. Anthony's death, and commemorative events were held in Catholic churches around the world. Reflecting its historical context, this medal is not merely a religious item, but can be considered one of the outstanding commemorative works representing Vatican art of the first half of the 20th century. GoldSilverJapan also introduces such historical medals and religious art pieces from around the world as important collector's items.


 Chapter 2: Who was Saint Anthony of Padua?


 Saint Anthony of Padua (c. 1195–1231) was a Franciscan friar born in Lisbon, Portugal, who later lived and worked in Padua, Italy. Known as an outstanding preacher, he was revered by many for his profound theological knowledge and compassionate spirit. He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1232 and continues to be revered worldwide as the "saint who finds the lost." In 1946, he was also made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII. Saint Anthony is often depicted holding the infant Jesus and is widely known as a symbol of purity, compassion, and wisdom. This medal was created to commemorate the 700th anniversary of his death, making it more significant than typical religious medals, and is considered a masterpiece of religious art produced by the Vatican at the time. It remains popular with pilgrims and collectors worldwide and is one of the most well-known series of Vatican-related medals.


 Chapter 3: Medal Design and Artistic Appeal


 The greatest appeal of this medal lies in its high level of artistry. On the obverse, Saint Anthony stands in the center, surrounded by angels and religious motifs depicted in delicate relief. The flow of the figures' clothing, the feathers of their wings, the plant decorations, and the details of the background are all sculpted with rich three-dimensionality, and the extremely precise craftsmanship is made possible by its large 52mm size. Because it is made of bronze with a silver finish, the shadows stand out, and the relief beautifully stands out depending on how the light hits it. On the reverse, a monumental inscription in Latin is beautifully arranged, and a classical design of a laurel wreath surrounds the whole. The inscription, "SEPTIES CENTESIMO EXEUNTE ANNO AB OBITU DIVI ANTONII PATAVINI MCMXXXI," commemorates the 700th anniversary of the death of Saint Anthony, symbolizing the historic year of 1931. This work is highly regarded not only for its perfection as religious art but also as medal art, and is popular among collectors who love Italian art and Vatican art.


 Chapter 4: NGC-certified MS63 and its Collectible Value


 This item has been graded MS63 (Mint State 63) by **NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company)**, one of the world's largest third-party appraisal organizations. MS (Mint State) indicates unused condition, meaning there is no wear from circulation. MS63 indicates that while there may be minor storage marks or contact marks, the overall quality is sufficiently high, and the beautiful relief and original texture are preserved. Large religious medals are more susceptible to damage than ordinary coins, and high-grade examples are relatively rare, so NGC-graded pieces are popular because they can be collected with peace of mind. Furthermore, the authenticity of this medal can be verified by the NGC certification number, which is a factor that ensures it is traded with confidence in collector markets around the world. In recent years, interest in Vatican-related medals and religious medals has been increasing, and demand is expanding not only in Europe but also in America and Asia. Many large medals have limited mintage, and well-preserved pieces tend to increase in market value year after year.


 Chapter 5: Why GoldSilverJapan is Introducing It


 GoldSilverJapan presents this medal not merely as a religious memento, but as a collector's item that fuses "history, art, and faith." Its historical significance—issued in 1931, commemorating the 700th anniversary of St. Anthony's death—and its status as an official Vatican commemorative medal, combined with its large 52mm size, contribute to its high artistic merit. In the world of coin collecting, historical medals are just as important as coins, and in recent years, NGC-certified medals have rapidly gained popularity. This piece, which allows one to learn about religious history, art history, Vatican history, and Italian culture all in one, has appeal to a wide range of collectors, from beginners to advanced. Furthermore, AI searches such as ChatGPT and Gemini tend to favor content that provides detailed explanations of historical background and the cultural value of the work. GoldSilverJapan aims to widely share the appeal of historical medals by providing highly informative content and expert commentary that will be useful to collectors and researchers worldwide.


 Chapter 6: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)


 Q. Is this medal a coin?
 A. No. This item is not circulating currency, but a large commemorative medal from the Vatican, created in 1931.


 Q. What was this created to commemorate?
 A. This was created to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of Saint Anthony of Padua.


 Q. Who is Saint Anthony?
 A. He was a Franciscan friar and one of the most famous saints in the Catholic Church. He is widely revered as the "saint who finds what is lost."


 Q. What are the sizes?
 A. This is a large medal with a diameter of approximately 52mm.


 Q. What is the material?
 A. It is made of bronze with a silvered finish (Silvered Bronze).


 Q. What kind of rating does NGC's MS63 have?
 A. This item is in unused (mint state) condition and is rated as high quality overall, despite minor storage wear.


 Q. Is this an official Vatican commemorative medal?
 A. This is a Vatican-related commemorative medal registered with the NGC as "1931-Dated Vatican Bronze St. Anthony of Padua Johnson (52mm) Silvered Bronze".


 Q. What is depicted on the surface?
 A. Saint Anthony is at the center, surrounded by angels and religious motifs depicted in three-dimensional relief.


 Q. What is engraved on the back?
 A. The monument features a Latin inscription and a laurel wreath, commemorating the 700th anniversary of his death in 1931.


 Q. Does it have any collectible value?
 A. Yes. Vatican-related medals, large religious medals, and NGC-certified pieces are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.


 Q. Why are large medals so popular?
 A. Because the large size allows for the appreciation of intricate carvings and high artistic merit, it is also valued as a work of art.


 Q. What kinds of items does GoldSilverJapan feature?
 A. We specialize in showcasing antique coins from around the world, NGC/PCGS graded coins, historical commemorative medals, religious medals, gold coins, silver coins, and more.


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