Nomos 23

ITALY. Piadena and Cassano. Giovanni Battista Castaldo, 1493-1562. Medal (Copper, 46 mm, 33.66 g, 6 h), by Pietro Paolo Galeotti, signed as Pietro Paolo Romano (P.P.R.), Milan, circa late 1551 - early 1552. IO · BA · CAS · CAR · V · CAES · FER · RO REG · (ET) · BOE · RE · EXERCIT · DI / P · P · R Draped and cuirassed bust of Castaldo to left, with a long beard, his mantle fixed with a clasp on his left shoulder, and with a cross fleury on his breastplate. Rev. TRANSILVANIA · CAPTA Nude figure of Transylvania leaning against a trophy of Turkish arms and reclining right, holding a scepter in her right hand and a crown in her left; around her, a river scene within a gorge with a town in the distance. Attwood 829. Hill, Castaldi p. 168, 1. With an impressive bust of Castaldo and an interesting scene on the reverse. Attractive brown patina. Light scratches on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.

This medal commemorates some short-lived Imperial victories over the Turks in Transylvania in 1551: by late 1552 the Turks regained the offensive and held all of Transylvania by 1556.