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This medal is 1.75 inches long, weighs 26 grams, and wascast in Rome, as indicated by the hallmark.
These medals were worn into battles by many SpanishColonial Catholic soldiers in the 17th and 18th century. Its sale willbenefit two Carmelite Convents who feed poor kids in South America. Itsprovenance is my mother\'s estate collection.
All our listed items are original Christian devotionals.Some may have been cleaned or polished before their arrival, by their lastcaretaker. Their use is for personal devotion.
This medals dating can be confirmed on pages 2 & 3 ofthe book AN INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS MEDALS, by Bob Forrest, and published byNUMISMATICA INTERNATIONAL in 2004. In addition, this book has chapters(outlined in the table of contents), describing each of the categories ofmedals, their possible place of pilgrimage (acquisition), and origin of themint where they were made. We recommend that anyone serious about collectingmedals from this period acquires a copy of this book.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the CatholicCounter-Reformation reshaped Europe and expanded into the Americas toevangelize native peoples. Bronze medals were a significant but common objectduring this period.
Each medal tells a unique story because they are sourcedfrom Catholic convents, estate collections, and metal detector enthusiasts. Dueto their use, being touched hundreds or thousands of times, and often beingcarried and worn in harsh environments, the medals will show the natural surfacewear (patina) created by their age, use in devotion, and by exposure to theelements. They are found in modern days both aboveground in sometimes buried,as with other artifacts.
On the front is St. Barbara who it was believed wouldopen the gates to heaven when a soldier died suddenly during a Battle. On theback is the image of the Miracle of the Bleeding Eucharist that occurred aftera Spanish Battle with the Moors in Spain in the year 1239. The medal is apilgrimage medal that dates from the 18th century. It may be from a soldier\'spilgrimage to the Basilica of Santa Maria Darca, before a battle.
The legend says that in 1239 the Christian commandersasked the priest on the battlefield to celebrate Mass, but a few minutes afterthe consecration, an improvised enemy attack obliged the priest to suspend theMass and hide the consecrated Hosts amid the sacred linens of the mass. TheSpanish left the battle victorious, and the commanders asked the priest toretrieve the Hosts previously consecrated. However, they were discoveredcompletely covered in Blood. So today in Spain, it is possible to venerate theBlood-stained linens at the Basilica of Santa Maria Darca.
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