ITALY. Milan. Charles V, 1519-1535-1556. Medal (Bronze, 32 mm, 24.01 g, 12 h), an old cast, taken from the silver testone by Leone Leoni, circa 1535. •IMP•CAES• - CAROLVS•V•AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Charles V to right. Rev. S•P•Q•MEDIOL•OPTIMO•PRINCIPI (=presented by Senate and People of Milan to the best of Princes) Pietas, draped and veiled, seated left amidst piles of arms, holding a patera in her outstretched right hand; in the exergue, •PIETAS• over a shield and a helmet. CNI V, p. 234, cf. 36-37 (testones in silver). Crippa & Crippa, Verri, p. 242, 400. Very rare. A pleasing example, with a golden-tan patina. Minor marks, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.

The figure of Pietas on the reverse is taken from the sestertius of the same type minted by Caligula in 37-38 (as RIC 36). This was particularly suitable since the bust Charles, on the obverse, is rendered in fully Roman style!