Silver Papal Medal/Spoon minted 1575-1581 Pope Gregory XIII Rare

The handle was attached sometime in the mid 1700's. It was popular in Europe to take coins and attach handles with apostles atop them. However, it was rare even for those wealthy to use such an important Catholic relic.

Item Description

• Object: Religious commemorative spoon featuring a silver Papal medal of Pope Gregory XIII (1575–1581).
• Material: Silver.
• Handle Detail: Topped by a figure of Apostle Peter, identifiable by his halo and symbolic key.
• Maker's Mark: "S. GIAM" visible on the handle — indicating the artisan or silversmith, likely an Italian craftsman, possibly from the 18th to 19th century.
• Medal Obverse (Front):
  • Portrait of Pope Gregory XIII.
  • Inscription: "GREGORIVS XIII PONT" (Gregory XIII, Pontiff).
• Medal Reverse (Back):
  • Depicts Christ handing the keys to Peter.
  • Inscription: "ET TIBI DABO CLAVES" ("And to you I will give the keys" — Matthew 16:19).
  • Roman mint origin ("ROMA" or similar noted).
• Size:
  • Total spoon length: 4.5 inches (approx 11.5 cm).
  • Medal alone: about 3 cm diameter.
• Weight: About 1 ounce with handle.

Historical Context

• Pope Gregory XIII (1572–1585) is best remembered for commissioning the Gregorian Calendar (which replaced the Julian calendar).
• Medal Origin:
  • These medals were originally created in the late 16th century as religious gifts, often distributed during jubilees or important religious celebrations.
  • The medal later being repurposed into a spoon (likely during the 18th century) follows a common practicefor religious souvenirs for christenings or baptismal gifts.
• S. GIAM is likely a later silversmith’s signature, but identifying the exact workshop would need deeper archival research or a specialist in Italian silver.

Condition

• Good.
  • Medal details still discernible, although some rubbing and wear is visible, consistent with age.
  • Handle and attached medal appear solid, no obvious signs of major repair.
  • Surface tarnish appropriate for antique silver — should not be over-cleaned as patina adds value.

Estimated Current Value

Based on:

• The rarity of authentic Papal medals from the 1570s,
• The decorative silverwork (religious spoons are collectible),
• The condition and completeness,
• Comparable museum examples (such as the one you mentioned at Stanford, and also auction house sales of similar Papal silver items),

A reasonable auction estimate would be:

$800 to $1,500 USD, possibly higher if marketed well to religious artifact collectors, numismatists (coin collectors), or fine antique silver buyers.

Private sale retail value (especially through a religious antiquities dealer) could push closer to:

$1,500 to $2,000+ USD

Comparable Sales Data

Based on recent auction records, here are some comparable sales of Pope Gregory XIII medals and related items:

🏛️ Pope Gregory XIII Medals

• 1575 Bronze Medal by Lorenzo Fragni
  Depicting the Holy Year, this 33mm bronze medal, an early 19th-century restrike, sold for $100 at CNG Coins' Electronic Auction 566. ​CNG Coins+1CNG Coins+1
• 1575 Bronze Medal – Annona Pontificia
  A 33mm bronze medal featuring the Annona Pontificia theme realized €90 (approximately $100) at Bertolami Fine Art Auction 9. ​NumisBids
• 1575 Bronze Medal – Opening of the Holy Door
  Another 33mm bronze medal commemorating the opening of the Holy Door during the Holy Year of 1575 sold for €90 (approximately $100) at the same Bertolami auction. ​NumisBids+1CNG Coins+1

🥄 Baptismal or Christening Spoons

• Antique Danish Silver Christening Spoon – St. Olaf
  A 19th-century Danish silver christening spoon, a replica of a 16th-century design, is listed for £295 (approximately $370) at Leopard Antiques. ​Leopard Antiques

💰 Estimated Value of Your Item

Considering the unique combination of a 16th-century Pope Gregory XIII silver medal repurposed into a baptismal spoon, and the presence of all original inscriptions, your item holds both numismatic and historical significance. Based on comparable sales and the added value of the spoon's craftsmanship, an estimated value would be in the range of $800 to $1,500 USD.​

For a more precise valuation, especially if you intend to sell or insure the item, I recommend consulting with professional appraisers or auction houses specializing in religious artifacts and numismatics, such as:

• Heritage Auctions
• Stack’s Bowers Galleries
• Christie’s
• Sotheby’s

Recommendation

Since this is a fairly rare and interesting piece with both numismatic and religious significance, I strongly recommend:

• A professional authentication and appraisal through an expert in:
  • Religious artifacts,
  • Numismatics (coins and medals),
  • Or antique silverwork.

Top candidates for appraisal might include:

• Heritage Auctions (HA.com),
• Stack’s Bowers Galleries (specializing in coins and medals),
• Christie’s or Sotheby’s (for religious artifacts or important silver).