210, Lot: 403. Estimate $100. Sold for $267. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Medals. Clement X (Emilio Bonaventura Altieri). 1670-1676. Æ Medal (35mm, 21.52 g, 12h). Giovanni Hamerani, engraver. Dated year 4 (1673/4). CLEMENS · X · PONT · MAX · AN · IIII, bust right, wearing camauro, mozzetta, and pallium; trefoil stops / VT · ABVNDANTIVS · HABEANT, Ceres seated right, holding cornucopia and watching harvest. Mazio 312; Lincoln 1329; DDL pl. XXXV, 4. Superb EF.

From the Luparello Collection.

One of the oldest Popes at the time of his election, Clement X objected to his candidacy, believing himself to be too old and of failing abilities. Unable to convince the cardinalate of this, he reluctantly accepted. An issue important to him during his pontificate was the aiding of the Polish king John Sobieski against Turkish invaders. Unfortunately for Clement X’s legacy, the Cardinal Nephew gradually gained power during his papacy, enacting new taxes and squandering funds, and ultimately leaving many to believe Clement X as Pope only in name.