Sebastian Unterholzer Stone Model, 66.1 mm Ø (including frame), 37.1 g Attributed to an unknown artist from Munich or Nuremberg, 1559. Obverse: Bust of Sebastian Unterholzer facing forward, bearded and bare-headed, wearing buttoned top. Around, SEBASTIAN · VNTERHOLCZER · SOTTO · M · D · LVIIII · IAR · (Sebastian Unterholzer, During the Year 1559). Unlike Italian artists, who worked mainly in wax, German medalists would create their models in stone or wood. Due to the more durable materials, these models were often seen as works of art in their own sense and have more readily survived to the present day. Sebastian Unterholzer (1507-1577), likely born in Salzburg, was a citizen of Munich and later a citizen of Nuremberg. He was married three times and had 26 children. This portrait is paired with a portrait of his third wife, Justina, for the final medal. References: Habich 1929-34, no. 1440; Trusted 1990, no. 113
Was this the model for a coin, or just a portrait of him? It would be cool to see the coin, if there is one.
It was the model for a medal. An example of the final medal can be seen in the V&A collection: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O94223/sebastian-unterholzer-and-his-wife-medal-master-of-the/
