Is this sterling, and other questions, religious charm (Catholic)

To my eye, this small charm (or pendant) looked like tarnished silver. And sure enough, it brightened up with a quick rub with polishing cloth. But I can't find it marked sterling or 925 anywhere...

Next, what is it exactly? Here's the front (measuring 1" x just over 1/2").

Here's the back (where I see it was made in Italy).

And finally, what's the significance of the year—1850, I think— at bottom? (I don't want to assume it's that old.)

As always, thank you in advance!

 

Sold by the million in Vatican souvenir shops, supposedly blessed by the Pope. An invocation to the virgin Mary for intercession. If it is silver it isprobably 0.800

When the priests were stopped from selling indulgences they went into the relic and souvenir business.

It's not that old, there was no Italy in 1850, but I don't know the significance.

 

And, while it may well not be sterling, be sure to check the very edges of it. Once in a while, they will mark it there.

 

Thanks to both of you. af, you have so much knowledge in that head of yours, I don't know how it all fits.

I did check the edges with a loupe, messi. Perhaps I learned that from you!

 

If so, I probably learned it from someone else here, or on eBay! LOLOLOL

 

Most of the ones marked sterling aren't silver at all

Almost none of the unmarked ones are silver

The Miraculous Medal year is 1830 (nothing to do with when it was made)

The vatican is the most profitable organized crime racket in the world

 

Growing up as a Catholic I have at least a dozen of those in drawers, jewelry boxes, etc.

 

I make charm bracelets out of things like that. They look really cool, but they're not worth a lot.

 

That is so cool

 

Google Catherine Laboure and you will have all the info you need about every single thing on the miraculous medal.

 

Will do. Thanks. But it definitely seems like it has zero value.