Anonymous, Francesco II Sforza (1495-1535), Duke of Milano (1521-1535), Gold Medal

This six scudi gold coin, of which only a single example is known to exist, was created by an anonymous engraver for the Milan mint following the death of the Duke of Milan, as likely indicated by the inscription of the dedicatory form of his name, FRANCISCI, on the obverse of the coin. He is dressed in classical fashion. On the reverse is the bust of Saint Ambrose with halo and carrying a mitre. The frontal depiction is quite unusual for the coins and medals of the time and was inspired by Lombard and Leonardesque iconographic models, now considered classical.