Medal of Emperor John VIII Palaeologus (obverse and reverse)

Following both ancient and medieval examples, Pisanello placed John Palaeologus in profile on the obverse (front), surrounded by an identifying inscription in Greek. On the reverse (back) Palaeologus again appears in profile, on his horse, stopping to pray at a roadside cross. He is also shown departing across the rock-strewn landscape at left. Inscriptions in both Latin and Greek name Pisanello as the medal’s creator.