Need Help Identifying This Medal (Id: Theodore Alexis Joseph De Montpellier, Bishop Of Liege Medal)

Obv: T. A. J. Montpellier, Eveque de Liege (Theodore Alexis Joseph de Montpellier, Bishop of Liege)

The engraver M. Lambert has signed the bust: LAMBERT F(ecit)

Rev: Theodore-Alexis-Joseph de Montpellier de Vedrin. Ne au chateau de Vedrin le 24 Mai 1807, preconise a Rome le 27 Sep'e. et sacre Eveque de Liege, le 27 Novem'e. 1852. Dans l'eglise Cathe'l de St. Paul a Liege.

Born in Vedrin 24 May 1807, preconized (appointed) by Rome 27 September 1852 and consecrated as Bishop of Liege 27 November 1852 in the church Cathedral of St. Paul, Liege.

M. Montpellier was born in Vedrin (24 May 1807); made Bishop of Liege on 27 November 1852 and held the office until his death 24 August 1879.

Appears to have some damage to the rims and a scratch across the cheek.

Joselito Eeckhout listed for sale by auction in Nov. 2012 one example of this medal. It was noted as being struck in bronze with a given weight of 22.38g and a diameter of 37mm. The lot went unsold at a 10 euro starting bid.

Many 19th c. European medals are scarce to rare, especially when they are struck for specific individuals who are not famous or well-known beyond a local level. Given the relative obscurity of the subject, this one is perhaps one of a few remaining. For many issues the only reliable information comes from auction catalogs, collection catalogs and museum inventories.

Mintage records were not kept for such issues in many cases, since they were not usually produced in sufficient quantities to justify doing so. Master strikes or specimen strikes may have been done in gold or silver for presentation to the featured subject or to local dignitaries, and then bronze, brass, or white metal copies would have been made for presentation or sale.

Your medal might be of interest to collectors of Belgian medals, collectors of Liege-related items, collectors of items related to the St. Paul Cathedral, collectors of medals of Catholic bishops, collectors of items related to the Montpellier de Vedrin family (which has quite a long history in Belgium) etc. although being damaged might be of concern.