167, Lot: 232. Estimate $200. Sold for $261. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal States. Julius II. 1503-1513. Æ Medal (41mm, 29.27 g, 12h). Fortifications at Civitavecchia. Bust of the Genoese Pontiff left / Castle defending the port, three ships in choppy water at right, two fishermen at left. Lincoln 433. EF, a protruding ring of metal around the edge has been carefully filed; has been lacquered. A later issue, with fine detail and excellent surfaces.

Ex Collection C.G., from Coin Galleries (February 27, 2001), lot1191.

The construction of “Michelangelo’s Fort” was ordered by Julius II to defend Civitavecchia, Rome’s principle port in the middle ages, from pirate raids. The fort was designed by Bramante, constructed under Giuliano Leno and Antonio da Sangallo the Younger by 1535, but Michelangelo completed the central fortified tower and gave his name to the entire ediface.