Renaissance Papal Medals - Callixtus III and Pius II by Andrea Guacialoti

I recently acquired this medal of Pius II by the same artist as that of the medal I already owned of Callixtus III, and figured they would make nice companions to show together. These are the two earliest lifetime portrait medals of popes (a medal of Nicholas V by the same artist was a contemporary posthumous issue). Interestingly, Modesti assigns both of these medals a rarity rating of RRR, while Hill enumerates 13 examples of the Callixtus III medal but only 3 examples of the Pius II medal.



Callixtus III

Attributed to Andrea Guacialoti, 1455/1458.


Bronze, 42.7 mm Ø, 40.4 g

Obverse: Bust of Callixtus III facing left, wearing decorative mitre and cope. Around, CΛLISTVS PΛPΛ TERTIVS (Pope Callixtus III); the inscription beginning and end are separated by a cinquefoil.

Reverse: Borgia coat of arms, featuring a standing ox facing left on shield, surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara. Around, · ΛLFONSVS BORGIΛ GLORIΛ ISPΛNIE (Alfonso Borgia, Glory of Spain); the inscription beginning and end are separated by a lion's head.

Pope Callixtus III was born Alfons de Borja on December 31, 1378, in the Spanish Kingdom of Valencia. He was a professor of law, served as diplomat to the Kings of Aragon, and was the founder of the family fortunes in Italy under the Italianized name of Borgia. Alfons was elected to the papacy on April 8, 1455, and ruled until his death on August 6, 1458. He was austere and pious, but surrounded himself with relatives and place-seekers. Callixtus ordered the retrial of Joan of Arc, which would later vindicate her. This medal, showing his coat of arms on the reverse with papal accompaniments, is the only contemporary medal of Callixtus.

References: Hill 1930 (Corpus), no. 747; Modesti 2002 (CNORP), no. 44; Pollard 2007 (NGA), no. 234



Pius II

Attributed to Andrea Guacialoti, 1460.


Bronze, 56.3 mm Ø, 91.9 g

Obverse: Bust of Pius II facing left, bareheaded, wearing decorative cope. Above and around, PIVS · PAPA · SECVNDVS (Pope Pius II); below in arc, · ENEAS · SENEN · (Enea of Siena).

Reverse: Piccolomini coat of arms, featuring five crescents on a cross, placed on crossed keys and surmounted by papal tiara. Around, MCCCCLX PONT ΛNNO SECVNDO (1460, Second Year of His Pontificate).

Pope Pius II was born Enea Silvio Piccolomini on October 18, 1405, in Siena. He served various Church officials as a layman before receiving sacred orders in 1446. Enea was elected to the papacy on August 19, 1458, and ruled until his death on the night of August 14-15, 1464. He tried unsuccessfully to unite Europe in a crusade against the Turks. Pius authored a number of works, including his autobiography Commentaries. This medal, showing his coat of arms on the reverse with papal accompaniments, is one of two contemporary medals of Callixtus by Guacialoti; the other features a "pelican in her piety" design borrowed from Pisanello's medal of Vittorino da Feltre.

References: Hill 1930 (Corpus), no. 748; Modesti 2002 (CNORP), no. 57

 

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Is the relief especially high on #2 or is that just the picture?

 

I always look forward to your posts! Outstanding!

 

I wouldn't say so; the bottom of the tiara looks to be the highest point, and is about 2mm above the field.

Thanks!