The oft-cited reference, Roma Resurgens, mentions that such pieces could have been distributed to retainers in the papal household. Some individuals could have kept them in the family as keepsakes; others may have used them as supplements to their income, placing them in the stream of commerce. I would further hypothesize that the medal then ended up as someone else's keepsake and lovingly polished year after year. This is why some worn medals fascinate me. Lots of personal history going on, if we could only crack the book.
Honors flysis Income beezis Onches nobis Inob keesis
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Virtus Collection - Renaissance and Baroque Medals
My wantlist & references
This is why some worn medals fascinate me. Lots of personal history going on, if we could only crack the book.
DPOTD