Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 27. Estimate CHF800.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Italy. Mid 16th century. Medal (Bronze, 34mm, 22.45 g 8), commemorating Homer, an early, probably contemporary, cast by G. Cavino (1500-1570). ΟΜΗ - ΡΟC Bare-headed, bearded and draped bust of Homer to right. Rev. Mars standing facing, head turned to left, between, on the left, Fortuna seated right, and, on the right, Augustus seated facing accompanied by Victory; below, in exergue, reclining figures of Terra and Oceanus. Attwood 295. NG 455. An attractive piece with a brown patina, but with a few minor scratches. Good very fine.

From the M. Hall collection, Baldwin’s 64, 4 May 2010, 108.

The bust of Homer on this medal is taken from those found on Roman contorniates of the late 4th or early 5th century AD (as Alföldi 94). The reverse actually has nothing to do with Homer at all, but relates to the life of Augustus!