Renaissance Medal, Julien De Medici

Unknown artist (Rome)
GIULIANO DE MEDICI, DUKE OF NEMOURS (1479-1516)
1513
Copper alloy, cast; 33.5 mm

Obverse: Bust of Giuliano on the left. Inscription: MAGNVS IVLIANVS MEDICES (The great Giuliano de’ Medici).

Reverse: Female figure dressed in antique drapery, seated on a throne of shields and a cuirass, holding a figure of Victory in her right hand. Inscriptions: in the field , on the left and right of the female figure, C(onsensi) P(opuli) (With the agreement of the people); in exergue, ROMA (Rome).

Giuliano, the third son of Lorenzo il Magnifico, went into exile with his family in 1494, returned to Florence in 1512, and in 1515 married Philiberte of Savoy. This medal was produced for distribution to the public on the occasion of Giuliano being admitted as a citizen and patrician of Rome in 1513. The female figure all’antica on the reverse is a personification of Rome.