Medal of Bindo Altoviti

Bindo Altoviti (1491-1556) was a powerful banker to the papacy, a patron of the arts, and, at the end of his life, a major opponent of the Medici family who ruled Florence. He divided his time between Florence, where his family was from (and where his wife and children lived), and Rome, where his business was based.

The portrait of the young Altoviti was painted by Raphael, while the bronze bust of the middle-aged banker was executed by Benvenuto Cellini.

The obverse of the medal, which is perhaps the work of Cellini, portrays Altoviti, while the verso represents a female figure.