Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: Bronze Medieval 16th-17th Century Christian Medallion -- Questions  (Read 3090 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Jericho

  • Guest
I know this doesn't classify as ancient, but I just bought this Christian medallion from Medieval Spain, 16th-17th Century A.D.  It's the first such item I've bought and I know nothing of it's background or it's scarcity or lack thereof.  I wonder if anybody might know who's image is on what I'll call the obverse of this small medallion... he looks left at a likeness of Christ on the Cross.  Not a Christian, I'm not sure who this is!  Also, I wonder what the letters S CAR might represent? 

Does anybody here collect these?  Are there any good sites or books you might point me to that could shed some light on these?  Thanks.


Manzikert

  • Guest
Re: Bronze Medieval 16th-17th Century Christian Medallion -- Questions
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2005, 05:41:01 pm »
Hi

I think the figure on the obverse is probably Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), with the S. CAR standing for SAN CARLOS, 'Saint Charles' in Spanish.

One of the main incidents of his life was praying, with a rope noose round his neck, for the relief of Milan from an attack of the plague, and there seems to be a rope round the neck of the figure on the obverse and the reverse is surrounded by a rope border with 'noose' type knots in it

See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03619a.htm for biographical details, and http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/stc10007.jpg for a picture, which if reversed, looks rather like the obverse of the medallion.

Best wishes

Alan

Jericho

  • Guest
Re: Bronze Medieval 16th-17th Century Christian Medallion -- Questions
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2005, 04:00:15 pm »
Alan thank you so much for the information!  Your educated guess seems to make perfect sense and I'm very pleased to know more about this item now.  I must admit I'm torn whether to keep this or put it up for sale...

I hadn't realized I had a response here as my reply notification emails have again got labeled as spam by my email server.   ::)

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity