Lot 01197

ITALY, Papal States. Rome. Julius III (Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte), 1550-1555. Medal (Silver, 45 mm, 71.44 g, 12 h), a very thick (5 mm) and heavy medal on the Jubilee Year of 1550, by Gian Giacomo Bonzagni, Rome, 1550. IVLIVS III PONT MAX AN IVBILEI Bare-headed bust of Julius III to right, wearing elaborately decorated pluviale. Rev. HAEC PORTA – DOMINI MDL / ROMA The Holy Door: a distyle pedimental structure, with a decorative frieze and a cross within the pediment, containing the closed Door inscribed, in five lines, IVSTI/INTRA/BVNT/PER/EAM (= the righteous will enter through it). Bargello 2111 = BG II, 542 ( but only 47 g). Very rare. A large and impressive piece, toned. Traces of a die break on the reverse, as usual, and various minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.

Papal silver medals struck on unusually thick flans, such as this one, were an exception and were only used for special presentations.