210, Lot: 400. Estimate $100. Sold for $87. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Medals. Clement IX (Giulio Rospigliosi). 1667-1669. Æ Medal (32mm, 19.85 g, 12h). Dated 1667. CLEM · IX PONT · MAX · A · I, bust right, wearing camauro, mozzetta, and pallium / IPSE DOMINVS/POSSESSIO/EIVS in three lines; dove above; all within floral cartouche; below, lamb with banner right. Mazio 284; Lincoln 1251; Whitman 105. Superb EF.

From the Luparello Collection.

Born to a noble family in Pistoia, Clement XI had a brief papacy lasting less than two years. Having previously received an education in philosophy, he was a man of artistic talents. He wrote poetry, religious dramas, and even one of the earliest comedic operas. Of further interest his pursuit of the arts, he opened the first public opera house in Rome.