103201 | ITALY. Papal States. Gregorian Tunnels/River Diversion bronze Medal.

103201  |  ITALY. Papal States. Tivoli. Gregorian Tunnels/Aniene River Diversion bronze Medal. Issued 1836. Commemorating the massive earthworks project (68mm, 184.21 g, 12h). By Giuseppe Cerbara.

 

PROVID GREGORII XVI PERFOSSA CATILLI RVPE ALVEVS ANIENI AVERTENDO DVPLEX APERTVS, view of the two Gregorian Tunnels for the Aniene at Monte Catillo; in the foreground, with back facing, river god Aniene reclining right, with hand set upon knee and cradling cornucopia // OPVS BIENNIO ANTE INCHOATVM ANNO MDCCCXXXV ABSOLVTVM, view of the waterfalls at the Grotta della Sirene. Edge: Plain.

 

Mazio 624; Boccia 67; Patrignani 37; Martini 1214. Choice Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with intense depth and relief. A highly impressive and detailed medal that is considered thrice as rare as the similar type engraved by Carl Heinrich Lorenz for the same event, which, most notably, lacks the reclining river god on the obverse. Compare to a similar specimen that realized $747.50 nearly two decades ago in Coin Galleries December 2007 auction, lot 2327.

 

The Latium town of Tivoli lies next to the Aniene River which, on occasion, would flood well beyond its banks, causing great damage to the surrounding town. Pliny the Younger recorded such devastation in A.D. 105, with other catastrophic events occurring in 1688, 1689, and 1826. After that latest diluvial chaos, Pope Gregory XVI intervened, with the river being diverted via a massive earthworks project that ultimately created two underground tunnels and a charming cascade. Overall, it was a highly celebrated feat of civil engineering.

 

Ex: Bertolami 7 (20 May 2013), lot 2529.

 

Upload: 1 September 2026.

 

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