Medal depicting Lorenzo de' Medici, medallist unknown, about 1470-90, Italy

Medal, with bust of Lorenzo de' Medici in profile (obv.) and a male figure in antique armour (crested helmet and curass), holding a sword in his left hand and resting on a spear with his right, standing victorious over three supplicants (rev.). These are a figure with head on hand, and two river gods resting on urns from which streams flow. The crudely-worked inscription on both sides may have been punched in after the medal was cast.

This coin was probably produced ca. 1480 for Lorenzo de' Medici, possibly after the attack on the Medici family known as the Pazzi conspiracy (1478). The central figure standing above three supplicants might symbolise Lorenzo reasserting his authority over his enemies.
This figure was inspired by an allegorical depiction of Rome in an ancient Roman sestertius (coin) of Trajan (Emperor from 98-117 AD). The museum has an example of this coin (museum number A.707-1910). Ancient coins like this sestertius were collected by Renaissance scholars, who appropriated antique motifs and ideas for their own contemporary commissions.

Unlike the sestertius, this medal was cast not struck.

There are several examples of this medal in other museums, including the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Unlike the Roman coin that inspired it this medal would not have been used as currency. Instead it was probably commissioned for Lorenzo de' Medici's personal use. Renaissance scholars and princes collected medals and also gave them as gifts to their contemporaries.

This coin was probably commissioned in about 1480 by Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of Florence, to commemorate his victory over the failed attack on the Medici family known as the Pazzi conspiracy. The central figure standing above three supplicants might symbolise Lorenzo reasserting his authority over his enemies.

This figure was inspired by an allegorical depiction of Rome on an ancient Roman sestertius (coin) of Trajan (Emperor from 98-117 AD). Ancient coins like this sestertius were collected by Renaissance scholars, who appropriated antique motifs and ideas for their own contemporary commissions.

4588-1857