Bust of Pope Leo XIII (Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci), facing left with head slightly right, attired in ornate pontifical vestments. Intricately rendered cope with detailed foliate embroidery. Legend around periphery. Signed in exergue.
Obverse lettering
LEO XIII · PONT · MAX
W. PITTEUR
Obverse script
Latin
Reverse description
The Papal tiara (triregnum) above the crossed Keys of Saint Peter—one gold and one silver—emblems of spiritual and temporal authority, encircled by the legend. The bottom commemorating the date of the new pope’s election following the death of Pius IX.
Reverse lettering
HABEMUS PONTIFICEM
LEO XIII
20. FEBR. 1878 (Translation: Habemus Papam = `We have a Pope` in Latin)
