Can anyone help with this medal?

JRocco

I have been trying to find out some info on this medal, but it is eluding me. This is a bronze 33mm Pope Clement VIII papal medal.
That is about as far as I have gotten on this piece. I can't google any more info on this one than that which I already know. Does anyone have any info on this piece? It is extremely high relief, so much so that pic taking is hard on this one.
Help...

STLNATS

This medal appears to be an original of Clem VIII, 1592-1605. Its not in the Lincoln nor Mazio cats, which have instead the 18th-19th century restrikes of the same type but of year 7. It is in CNORP which gives it number 954 (the restrike is 955). If I read the CNORP correctly, this was the "annual" medal for 1593, the 2nd year of the pope.

Obverse is the work of Giorgio Rancertti (whose initials should be in exergue) and the reverse that of Gian Cristofor Romano. The reverse was "borrowed" from a medal of Julius II (originally struck in 1506).

Annona was used on ancient Roman coins to refer to the annual harvest and importation of grain from Egypt to feed Rome (the annual "corn dole") and can also refer to prosperity as the personification of plenty. This is why the figure of Annona is shown holding grain and a cornucopia. This pope was a reformer who, everything net, strengthened the papacy, so my sense is that this piece refers to the public prosperity brought about (or at least anticipated) by his policies.

Interesting type (which I don't have and guess I ought to start looking for) and I assume much scarcer than the "common" Mazio restrikes.

Hope that helps.

PS In rummaging thru the catalogues, I see that Paul III (1534-1549) and Julius III (1550-1555) used a variety with a more explicit legend "Annona Pont," I guess just in case anyone missed who was responsible for the good times. Also note the basket full of grainrather than just a few stalks. Its also interesting that the stern of a ship appears in the background, a clear classical (i.e., ancient Rome) reference.

JRocco

Wow STLNATS,
Thank you.
Your depth of knowledge is only surpassed by your willingness to share it

I will be letting this medal sit in oil for a nice long period to help conserve it and hopefully pass it on in better shape than it is now.

I understand your interest in these pieces as there is so much more to them than just another collectable piece.

Thanks again.

laurentyvan

STLNATS is good folk.

Very interesting report and attractive medal. If more was available on medals in terms of cataloging, price lists, conditions, etc., and with a wider base of buyers I would plunge headlong into the field. It's the perfect compliment to coins.

i.e., if you collect coins of a certain historical period, how could you not collect the medals and art plaques of the period? They add dimension and depth to the collection, not to mention the entire related field.

STLNATS

You're welcome.

We've all (I hope) been mentored at some point so I think we are responsibile to pass along what we know (or sometimes think we know). Do remember me when you decide to "pass it along" please.

If more was available on medals in terms of cataloging, price lists, conditions

Interestingly, Vatican/Papal medals have ok documentation currently and are becoming well documented as the various volumes of CNORP (Corpvs Nvmismatvm Omnivm Romanorvm Pontificum) by Adolfo Modesti are published. The first four volumes are beautifully done and cover the period thru 1621. Downsides are the price (~$225 each), availability since printings were limited and the fact that the text is in Italian, altho pretty easily navigated. There's also a lot of other reference material that's been published in the last 20 or so years, but generally in Italian as well. But I don't expect a Krause or Berman equivalent any time soon because of the limited collector base that you mention.

I think that this is generally true of most areas of medals so it makes it a great area of collecting where you don't have to hock the farm to make an interesting and meaningful purchase (which is becoming increasingly true in my primary area of interest, US National Currency).