287, Lot: 706. Estimate $150. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papale (Stato pontificio). Alexander VI (Roderic Llançol i de Borja). 1492-1503. Æ Medal (44mm, 43.95 g, 12h). Dated 1492 in Roman numerals. Bust left, wearing zucchetto and mantum / Coat-of-arms. Mazio 27; Lincoln 409-10. EF, dark brown surfaces, a few deposits and marks on the reverse.

From an old English collection.

Born in the Valencian town of Xàtiva and nephew of Pope Callistus 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 Innocentius 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.