(sold for $129.0)

1565, Vatican, Pope Pius IV (Giovanni Angelo Medici). Silver Mezzo Paolo Coin. F-VF!

Mint Place: Bologna     Mint Period: 1559-1565 References: Muntoni 71. Denomination: ½ Paolo (Mezzo Paolo) Condition: Lightly deformed and straightened, possibly clipped in the past, otherwise F-VF! Diameter: 24mm    Weight: 2.26gm Material: Silver

Obverse: Saint Petronius, holding crozier and model of Bologna. Quartered coat-of-arms of Bologna below. Legend:  · S · PETRONIVS · - · DE · BONONIA ·

Reverse: Papal crown (tiara) above crossed shields and oval coat-of-arms of the House of Medici. Legend: · PIVS · IIII · - · PONT · MAX · 

Saint Petronius (Italian: San Petronio) (died ca. 450 AD) was bishop of Bologna during the fifth century. He is a patron saint of the city. Born of a noble Roman family, he became a convert to Christianity and subsequently a priest. As bishop of Bologna, he built the Church of Santo Stefano.

Pope Pius IV (31 March 1499 – 9 December 1565), born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 December 1559 to his death in 1565. Born in Milan, his family considered itself a branch of the House of Medici and used the same coat of arms. Although modern historians have found no proof of this connection, the Medici of Florence recognized the claims of the Medici of Milan in the early 16th century.

Pope Paul III appointed Medici Archbishop of Ragusa, and sent him on diplomatic missions to Germany and Hungary. He presided over the final session of the Council of Trent. His nephew, Cardinal Charles Borromeo, was a close adviser. As pope, Pius IV initiated a number of building projects in Rome, including one to improve the water supply.

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