A nearly 200-year-old condom – in “Standard of Mint” – was just on display at an exhibition in Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

It is thought to be made from an appendix of the sheep and has a clear print representing one nun and three clergy.

The history of rare artifacts dates back to 1830 and were purchased by museums at an auction last year. The condom is part of the 19th century exhibition of prostitution and sex. Prints, drawings and photos also form part of the display.

Rijksmuseum curator Joyce Zelen told the BBC that she and her colleagues first discovered their "smiling" condoms at the auction.

Ms Zelen said: “No one noticed it” and they were the only ones bidding on it.

After obtaining the item, they checked it with UV light and determined that it had not been used yet.

Ms Zelen said: “This is a mint condition.”

She added that since it was exhibited, the museum has been packed with people – young people and older – “The reaction was amazing”.

Ms Zelen explains that the condom is considered "Luxury Souvenirs" from a fine brothel in France, as we all know, only two such objects can survive to this day.

The museum says this unusual project “reflects the lighter and darker side of sexual health in an age of experiencing sensual pleasures full of fears of unnecessary pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (especially syphilis).

The clear print on this particular object shows that the nun sat in front of three people, her skirt raised and her legs pointed her fingers at the clergy, all of whom stood before her and raised their habits.

The condom also comes with the inscription "Voilà MonChoix", which means "having my choice".

The museum notes that the print is considered "a parody of the judgment of Paris in celibacy and Greek mythology", a mythological story of a Trojan prince named Pallas who must decide who is the fairest goddess among Aphrodite, Hera and Athena.

The Dutch Museum noted that their printing room collection has about 750,000 prints, drawings and photos, but this is the first example of a condom collection.

“We are the only art gallery to print condoms as far as we know,” Ms Zelen said.

Her institution, she said, "opens to lend to other museums, but points out that the condom is very subtle.

It will be on display until the end of November.