210, Lot: 354. Estimate $150. Sold for $158. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Medals. Alexander VI (Roderic Llançol de Borja i Borja). 1492-1503. Æ Medal (43mm, 58.40 g, 12h). Dated 1492. · ALESSANDRO · VI · PONT · MAX ·, bust left, wearing zucchetto and mantum; star stops / RODERICO · LENZVOLA · D · BORGIA · S P · M · CD · XCII, familial arms of de Borja below papal arms. Mazio 27; Lincoln 409-11; DDL pl. III, 6. Good VF.

From the Luparello Collection.

Born in the Valencian town of Xàtiva and nephew of Pope Calixtus III, Alexander VI found himself in many increasingly important roles within the Church, culminating in his election to the papacy in 1492 upon the death of Innocent VIII. Fathering four children from before his time as Pope, he found many roles for them to serve, even having his daughter Lucrezia step in during his absence. He issued the bull Inter Caetera which divided newly-found territories in the Americas among Spain and Portugal by a demarcation line.