CNG 100, Lot: 2355. Estimate $3000. Sold for $1800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Padova. Marcantonio Contarini, statesman. 1485-1546/8. Æ Medal (42.5mm, 31.78 g, 12h). Victories over the Turks in Morea (Greece). By Giovani da Cavino. Dated 1450 (in Roman numerals). M · ANTONIVS CONTARENVS, draped bust left / PATAVI VM, Padova seated left on pile of arms, holding scales and cornucopia; in exergue, · M · D · XL ·. Attwood 270; Armand I, p. 180, 11; Toderi & Vannel 939. EF, brown patina. Rare. A splendid contemporary struck example.

From the collection of A. Roth (1943-1992).

Marcantonio Contarini was a distinguished statesman of Padua who was related to a number of important Venetian families. He was podestà of Padua in 1540, an appointment that this medal commemorates. He served as an ambassador to both Charles V and Pope Paul III – at the time of his death he had been made Duke of Candia in Crete.