ITALY. Padua. Marco Mantua Benavides, 1489-1582. Medal (Bronze, 32 mm, 17.38 g, 5 h), a struck example, by Martino da Bergamo (fl. 1565-1568), circa 1568. •M•MANT•BENAVIDIVS•PAT•I•C•ET COMES (=...Paduan, Expert Jurist and Count) Bare-headed bust of Benavides to right, wearing simple robes. Rev. FESSVS LAMPADA / TRADO (=weary, I hand over the lamp) Ox resting to left in a field. TV, xvi, 590. Nicely toned and with a fine portrait. Obverse legends partially double-struck, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant, ex Rauch 95, 30 September 2014, 2379.

Benavides was a very distinguished jurist and scholar who held the chair at Padua for over sixty years. He edited the works of Petrarch and served as a legal advisor to the emperors Charles V and Ferdinand I. The reverse legend hints at his desire for retirement.