This is a lead medal made in Nuremberg and dated 1538. Peter Flötner designed the obverse of this medal representing the arms of the City of Nuremberg and the German Empire; Johann Neudörffer composed the inscription on the reverse commemorating the restoration of the defences of Nuremberg in 1538; and Hans Maslitzer cast the medal. The fortifications around Nuremberg Castle were erected by Antonio de Vazuni between 1538 and 1545, and this is the first of the so-called foundation medals made north of the Alps.
Flötner (ca. 1485-1546) was a sculptor, medallist, cabinetmaker, woodcutter and designer. He worked initially in Augsburg from around 1512 to 1516 before moving to Nuremberg where he became a citizen in 1522. Changes in Flötner's style after around 1530 suggest he may have travelled to Italy. His workshop catered for bell-founders, goldsmiths, pewterers and medallists supplying them with plaques made of lead, tin, bronze and solnhofen limestone. They were used like pattern books. The plaques were arranged in lines and a clay or plaster mould was made from them. In these moulds wax models were cast which were then applied to the outside of the wax models of bells, mortars and tankards before they were cast in metal.