ITALY. Rimini. Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, 1417-1468. Medal (Bronze, 42 mm, 56.21 g, 6 h), an original/contemporary cast by Matteo de' Pasti, but unsigned, 1446. SIGISMVNDVS∙P∙D∙MALATESTIS∙S∙R∙ ECL∙C∙GENERALIS∙ Bare-headed and draped bust of Sigismondo to left. Rev. [∙O∙M∙D∙P∙V∙] (erased) Tilting shield bearing the initials SI, beneath a crowned helmet bearing the head and neck of an elephant with a crest, and with flowing mantling behind. Bargello 64. Hill 166. Molinari 4. An attractive example with a green and greenish-black patina. Faults on the reverse from the model used to make the mould, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant, ex Hess-Divo 305, 25 October 2006, 232.

The Malatesta (=bad head) family motto was Elephas indus culices non timet = the Indian elephant isn't afraid of mosquitos (thus, the elephant on Sigismondo's crest); this meant that the Malatesta were quite unpleasant neighbours. This is because they considered everyone around them, the Pope, Venice, Milan, the Gonzagas, et al., to be mosquitos! When the family finally died out in 1757 a sigh of relief could be heard throughout the Papal States! Sigismondo commissioned a very extensive series of medals from Matteo de'Pasti to be used both as gifts to a variety of people and as foundation deposits for the many buildings he erected. Examples like the present one, without the artist's signature and with some faults, were certainly made to be used for foundation deposits.