ITALY. Padova. Under Venetian rule, 1405-1797. Medal (Bronze, 29 mm, 12.13 g, 8 h), so-called 'Paduan Medal'. By G. Cavino, but an early aftercast, after 1550. OMH - POC Diademed and draped bust of Homer to right. Rev. ΜΕΛΗϹ / ΑΜΑϹΤΡΙΑΝΩΝ The river-god Meles reclining to left, holding lyre set on his right knee with his right hand and leaning left on urn from which water flows. All'Antica I.16 (same dies). F. Imhoof-Blumer: Fluss- und Meergötter auf griechischen und römischen Münzen, in: SNR 23 (1923), p. 259, 215 and pl. 8, 21 (this medal, as an authentic Roman Provincial coin!). A highly interesting piece with a very old history. Minor roughness and a few light scratches, otherwise, good very fine.



It is somewhat surprising that Imhoof-Blumer mistook this Cavino medal for a genuine piece from 2nd-century Amastris. Yet the renowned Swiss numismatist may be forgiven, for he was likely deceived, at least in part, by the illustrious pedigree of the piece, which he alludes to on p. 259 with the single word 'Arolsen.' Bad Arolsen was the residence of the House of Waldeck-Pyrmont, whose collection was largely assembled by Christian August von Waldeck-Pyrmont (1744-1798) and sold in the 1930s by Münzhandlung Basel as the collection of 'Prince W.'

Christian August was not only an avid collector of coins and an acquaintance of Goethe and Eckhel, but also a career soldier. He served for many years as a high-ranking officer in the Austrian army before ultimately being appointed supreme commander and field marshal of the Portuguese army shortly before his death in 1798.

Cavino copied this medal from a genuine Roman Provincial coin of Amastris struck in the 2nd century AD, an example of which he must have seen. Unlike with Roman Imperial issues, on which he often invented new types, in his Homer medal he followed the ancient prototype very closely, even reproducing the legend breaks.