210, Lot: 351. Estimate $100. Sold for $77. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Medals. Sixtus IV (Francesco Della Rovere). 1471-1484. Æ Medal (39mm, 36.35 g, 12h). Circa 16th century aftercast. · SIXTVS · IIII · PONT · MAX · VRB · REST, bust right, wearing zucchetto and mantum / IVL · CARD · NEPOS · INOSTIO · TIBERINO, view of the fortifications at Ostia. Lincoln 388; cf. Hill, Italian 816ter. Good VF.

From the Luparello Collection.

Born to a rather modest family In Celle Ligure, the Della Rovere family of Sixtus IV would become one of the elite Italian families by the end of his papacy. He advanced the power of the office through both the promotion of relatives and the construction of a fleet, and founded the Sistine Chapel, ushering in a new artistic age.