Lot 4689

Description

Claudius, (A.D. 41-54), Paduan cast medal, after Giovanni Cavino, (21.69, 21.70 g), obv. laureate head of emperor Claudius to right, around TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M T P IMP P P, rev. Spes standing left, extending hand to emperor between two soldiers, in exergue S C, around SPES AVGVSTA, (Lawrence 15, Klawans 4). Of good style, very fine, scarce. (2)

Ex Noble Numismatics Auction Sale 81 (lot 3562).
This and several other lots in this sale come from a small collection of medals, some copied from genuine coins by Giovanni Cavino (The Paduan) an Italian medallist, contemporary with Benevenuto Cellini, who was born at Padua in 1499 or 1500. Little is known of his life and his medals were probably made at Padua where he resided until his death in 1570. He was aided by his son Vincenzo who probably continued to use his dies after his death. He is best known for his numerous imitations of Roman large-brass coins and medallions which are known as "Paduans". One hundred and twenty two of his dies are preserved at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. However the great majority of the number of medals that survive today and called "Paduans" are cast from moulds from these original die struck medals. Some of the examples described below are so good that they are barely distinguishable from genuine ancient sestertii that were used as the models for these medals. All of Cavinos original strikings are very rare, the cast medallic issues are relatively common.