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Auction: 23126 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 30: English and World Coins and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 9258

Italy, Cosimo III de' Medici, Commemorative 'Francesco Redi' Bronze Medal, by Massimiliano Soldani Benzi, 1684, FRANCISCVS . REDI . PATRITIVS . ARETINVS, bust of Francisco Redi right, rev. CANEBAM, Bacchanal with figures of Bacchus and Silenus with maenads and satyrs, edge plain and rounded, 197.69g, 12h (Molinari 145; Vannel and Toderi 36; Johnson 140, fig. 126; Weiss BW384), a mighty medal of impressive size, beautifully deeply toned and well struck, only a couple minor areas of nicks around the edges, very fine

This is one of three medals (all with similar obverse) commissioned by the Grand Duke from Soldani Benzi, to celebrate Francesco Redi (1626-1697). He was a poet, physician, naturalist and philosopher and was chief physician to Ferdinand II and Cosimo III. Redi's poem 'Bacco in Toscana' inspired the Bacchanalis, as seen here on the reverse.

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Estimate
£300 to £400

Starting price
£250