Last year’s impressive Sword of the Archangel Michael returns with gilded, and rose gilded variants, and a new series display system

Released last October, the Sword of the Archangel Michael was a striking silver sword emblazoned with a famous prayer to him. Formed in 2.5 ounces of fine silver, it was a fine piece of work, followed up in May this year by a similar Sword of Saint Gabriel design. These were the first two releases in a series of swords, and you can read more in their respective articles.

Now, Coins Today have issued a limited run of the first sword in two new finishes. The antiquing remains, but the decoration of the handle, and the feathered band have been gilded. There will be 500 done with standard yellow gold, and a further 500 done with rose gold. They do look excellent, especially the latter.

What’s different is the way they’re sold. Instead of an unlimited mintage with the sword just encapsulated, these come with a Certificate of Authenticity, and a very neat acrylic display case. Four of them can be pushed together to form an attractive display, and given the outlines in the image below, it looks like at least two more swords will be joining those of Michael and Gabriel, in gilded forms, we suspect. Really beautiful pieces, they’re available to order now.

Oratio ad Sanctum Michael (Prayer to Saint Michael)

It was the 13th October 1884, that Pope Leo XIII, after Mass, stopped at the foot of the altar, and paused. He later claimed to have had a terrifying vision of a battle between Satan and the Church. He went away and composed the Oratio ad Sactum Michael, instructing that it be recited after Low Mass, which was undertaken until 1964. It’s thought the ‘Satan’ in the prayer may have been a reference to the Italian government, which had systematically reduced Papal lands to a fraction of its original size.

Sancte Míchaël Archángele, defénde nos in prœlio;
Contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto præsídium.
Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, Prínceps milítiæ cæléstis,
Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,
qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo,
divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde.
Amen

SAINT Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION Undenominated
COMPOSITION approx 78 g of 0.999 silver
DIMENSIONS 220.0 x 51.5 x 2.95 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS High-relief
MINTAGE 500 gilded, 500 rose gilded

WHERE TO BUY PAGE