Philip II of Spain and King of England, complimentary medal, cast bronze, 1555, by Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo, half-length bust of Philip II, left, in armour, with badge of the Golden Fleece, mantle around his shoulders, + PHILIPPVS AVSTR CAROLI V CAES F PRINC HISP ET ANGL R, rev., Virtue, as a draped female statue stands in a small pool, on her head a vase overflowing with water from two animal heads, around, a group of figures collect the water and drink it, VIRTVS, in ex, NVNQ DEFICIT, beaded border to both sides, 79.5mm (MI 75/26).
An excellent cast, good very fine with pleasant brown patina, pierced twice above head (by R and I of CAROLI), extremely rare.

The portrait type of Philip derives from another medal, signed by Leone Leoni, whilst the reverse comes from a medal dated to 1550-1552, of Gianello della Torre (1500-1585), the celebrated horologist, engineer and architect from Cremona.

Provenance: The Christopher Foley, F.S.A., Collection Of Early English Medals

Price £5750.00

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