ITALY. Decio Azzolino, Cardinal, 1623-1654-1689. Medal (Bronze, 62 mm, 82.87 g, 12 h), by Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740), undated but 1681. DECIVS CARD - AZZOLINVS Bare-headed bust of Azzolino to left, wearing fur-lined robes. Rev. INVIDIAM VIRTVTE (=envious of virtue) Eagle standing facing on a boulder, with his wings spread and his head to left, clutching a writhing serpent in his claws. Bargello 161. Rare. A lovely example, with a fine brown patina. Extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.

This medal has also been ascribed to the engraver G. B. Guglielmada, but this seems to incorrect. Decio Azzolino was a particularly colourful figure: he was a cryptographer and investigator, whose talents as a spy enabled him to become a valued member of the Papal hierarchy. He also became closely linked to Queen Christina of Sweden (there were rumours that they were very close, indeed); in the end, he inherited her famous art collection, but, since he died a little more than a month after she did, he had no time to enjoy it.