102824 | ITALY. Florence. Archconfraternity of Mercy bronze Medal.

102824  |  ITALY. Florence. Archconfraternity of Mercy bronze Medal. Issued 1895 (60mm, 105.64 g, 12h). By L. Giorgi for L. Gori.

 

Martyrdom of St. Sebastian: Half-length figure of St. Sebastian facing slightly left, tied to stump and being pierced in chest by arrow // EMANUELE FILIBERTO DI SAVOIA / DUCA D'AOSTA / NELLA FESTIVITÀ / DI / S. SEBASTIANO MARTIRE / AI / CONFRATELLI CAPI GUARDIA / XX GENNAIO MDCCCXCV in eight lines. Edge: Minor bruise near the left of the obverse, otherwise plain.

 

Forrer II, p. 269. Mint State. Warm brown surfaces, with a good deal of brilliance remaining.

 

Sebastian was an early Christian saint who is said to have been martyred during the persecutions under Roman Emperor Diocletian, circa C.E. 288. He was condemned to death by being tied to a tree and shot with arrows, though he survived this act. He attempted to warn Diocletian of the emperor's sins, and was then subsequently clubbed to death. Given his initial condemnation, he is traditionally represented in Catholicism as being pierced by arrows, as is the case on this medal. He serves, rather appropriately, as the patron saint of archers, as well as soldiers, athletes, race car drivers, and, relevant to current times, the plague stricken.

 

This medal also has an interesting connection to the early-20th century coinage of China, in that the designer of this piece, Luigi Giorgi, served as the chief engraver at the Tientsin mint from 1910–1917, where he designed some of the most iconic issues from the period.

 

Upload: 15 May 2024.