1823 Sede Vacante 1/2 Scudo Coin

1823-B Sede Vacante Half Scudo silver coin, issued after the death of Pope Pius VII and before the election of Leo XII. Obverse: Arms of Bartolomeo Cardinal Pacca, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, upon the cross of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, surmounted by papal umbrella, crossed keys, and the Cardinal's Hat with six tassels on each side. The Holy Spirit above. Reverse: Figure of the Church, seated on clouds, holding keys; around, AVXILIVM DE SANCTO (Psalm 20:3 "May he send you help from the sanctuary."). By Giuseppe Cerbara. Graded PCGS AU53.

The story has it that when Cardinal Pacca placed his coat-of-arms before his door, the morbid feature of the "Order of Life" drew the attention of Card. Luigi Ruffo Scilla. To paraphrase the Archbishop of Naples, "What are you doing [hanging an evil presage]?" For more information about the 1823 conclave, visit this fine site.