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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ycon, post: 3117237, member: 91771&quot;]When I <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-coins-of-benvenuto-cellini-not-ancient-but.309743/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-coins-of-benvenuto-cellini-not-ancient-but.309743/">first</a> <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-cellini-coin.314817/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-cellini-coin.314817/">posted</a> <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/vas-electionis-of-paul-iii-by-benvenuto-cellini.315826/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/vas-electionis-of-paul-iii-by-benvenuto-cellini.315826/">about</a> the coinage of Benvenuto Cellini, I wrote that my next holy grail was the testone of Alessandro de&#039; Medici. Today that coin arrived in the mail, from DNW. It is more beautiful in hand (aren&#039;t they always) with the toning in the fields appearing much more even. </p><p>&nbsp;[ATTACH=full]792301[/ATTACH]</p><p>Tuscany, Alessandro de Medici (1510-37), Testone, ALEX ANDER M – R P FLOREEN DVX, bust of Alessandro l., Rv. S COSMVS – S DAMIANVS. Cosimo and Damiano standing facing. , 9.95g/12h (MIR 103). Plugged, otherwise very fine, rare. <b>Dies by Benvenuto Cellini. </b></p><p><br /></p><p>I didn&#039;t exactly expect to get this coin so soon, or for such a good price. I think I benefited considerably from the venue, which mainly specializes in British coins and did not describe any of the extraordinary things about this coin, while starting it at an extremely low opening bid. Its placement nestled near the end of the auction may have helped me a bit too. Nonetheless it is the most expensive coin I have purchased by far, and I&#039;m not sure there will ever be another coin I am willing to spend that much on. </p><p><br /></p><p>Cellini describes the coin in his autobiography (LXXX): </p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;No sooner had I dismounted that I went to visit Duke Alessandro, and thanked him greatly for his present of the fifty crowns, telling his Excellency that I was always ready to serve him according to my abilities. He gave me orders at once to strike dies for his coinage; and the first I made was a piece of forty soldi, with the Dukes head on one side and San Cosimo and San Damiano on the other. <b>This was in silver, and it gave so much satisfaction that the Duke did not hesitate to say they were the best pieces of money in Christendom. The same said all Florence and every one who saw them. </b>Consequently I asked his Excellency to make me appointments, and to grant me the lodgings of the Mint. He bade me remain in his service, and promised he would give me more than I demanded. Meanwhile he said he had commissioned the Master of the Mint, a certain Carlo Acciaiuoli, and that I might go to him for all the money that I wanted. This I found to be true; but I drew my monies so discreetly, that I had always something to my credit, according to my account.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>He also describes it in his treatise on goldsmithing: </p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;In Florence likewise did I make all the moneys for Duke Alexander the </p><p>first of that name; they were 40 soldi pieces. And because the Duke was </p><p>curly headed, the <b>people called these coins the Duke’s curls</b>. On one </p><p>side was his head, and on the other St. Cosmo and St. Damian.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>Alessandro was the first Duke of Florence, a title which was created by his cousin (or possibly illegitimate father) Clement VII. His father, Lorenzo II was the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. His mother was likely Simonetta da Collevecchio, a Medici servant of African descent, making him one of the first black rulers in Europe, and also earning him the nickname &quot;il moro.&quot; Alessandro was made duke at 19, after Clement had made piece with Charles V, following the sack from Rome, and the latter had assisted in quashing the newly reinstated Florentine Republic. As part of the alliance he was married to the natural daughter of Charles V, Margaret of Austria. However, his rule proved tyrannical, and he was at assassinated at the age of 26 by his cousin, Lorenzaccio-- who compared himself favorably to Brutus. He was succeeded by another distant cousin, who became Cosimo I de&#039; Medici. </p><p><br /></p><p>The artistry of Cellini&#039;s coin is incredible, distinguishing it as one of the finest Renaissance numismatic portraits, and as Cellini&#039;s masterpiece in coinage. He perfectly captures Alessandro&#039;s likeness, which can be seen here in paintings by Pontormo (top) and Bronzino (bottom).&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Jacopo_Pontormo_056.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Allessandro-the-moor.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Note, too, the family resemblance (and identical schnoz!) shared with Clement VII-- ample and pointed, (ahem) evidence supporting the rumors of parentage.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Sebastiano_del_Piombo_%28Italian%29_-_Pope_Clement_VII_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/1024px-Sebastiano_del_Piombo_%28Italian%29_-_Pope_Clement_VII_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>It can be seen, too, in my coin of Clement. Though do to the double strike it is less pronounced than in many other examples. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]792384[/ATTACH]</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Rome. Clement VII (Giuliano de’Medici), 1523-1534. Doppio Carlino</b>, AR 5.01 g. CLEMENS·VII PONT· MAX Bearded bust left with ornate cope with figures of saints and medallion. Rv. Mintmark of Giacomo Balducci. QVARE – DVBITASTI (Matthew 14:31) Christ lifting St. Peter from the Sea. Muntoni 43. Berman 841. Rare. VF, profile of Clement slightly doubled. <b>Dies by Benvenuto Cellini. </b></p><p><br /></p><p>There is now only one more coin of Cellini&#039;s I hope to get. He writes about four more in his autobiography, but three are exceedingly rare, being found only in museum collections. I won&#039;t write anymore about the last one now-- I don&#039;t want any competition! </p><p><br /></p><p>In honor of my new favorite post your favorite coins![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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