ITALY. Rome. Circa 1534-1538. Medal (Bronze, 37 mm, 45.64 g, 7 h), by Giovanni Bernardi da Castel Bolognese (1494-1553). .ΑΥΓ.ΙMΠ. Μ.ΚΟΜΟΔ.ΑΝΤ. Bare-headed, bearded, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus to right; all within a wreath of grain and poppies. Rev. ΦΟΕΛΙΚΙΤ / ΑΥΓ (=Felicitas Aug) In the foreground, a lion attacks a horse moving to left; behind, portico from which a standing figure views the scene; all within a laurel wreath. Attwood 930. P. Attwood, Giovanni Bernardi and the question of medal attribution in 16th century Italy, Perspectives on the Renaissance Medal (New York, 2000), fig. 11. Calveri 18 (this piece). Very rare. An attractive and well-struck medal with a warm, chestnut-brown patina. Nearly extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant, ex Nomos 5, 25 October 2011, 12 and Numismatica Are Classica 53, 7 November 2009, 557.

The reverse of this medal is taken from a an ancient marble sculpture that was on display on the Capitol in Rome in the 16th century (it was admired by Michelangelo but has, apparently, since disappeared).