Medal: Pius V. Battle of Lepanto 1571. Two uniface medals (obverse and reverse)

This object is a bronze reproduction of a medal commemorating the Battle of Lepanto, which saw the Ottoman Empire pitted against the Holy League. The latter was formed of the Spanish Empire, the Papal States, the Venetian Republic, the Order of Malta, the Republic of Genoa, and the Duchy of Savoy, and the aim of the conflict was to free Europe from Turkish control. The Holy League’s great victory was commemorated through the coining of several commemorative medals featuring portraits of the protagonists. This is an example of one such medal, which features the image of Pope Pius V. He played a fundamental role, having established the Holy League.

On the obverse is a bust of the pontiff in profile with camauro and cloak, holding a crucifix in his hands with the legend "PIVS.V.PON.MAX .AD.MDLXXI” and a dotted decorative line around it. On the reverse is a scene from the Battle of Lepanto, with the coast shown on the right-hand side, encircled by the legend “DEXTERA.DO().FECIT.VIRTVTEM" and a decorative line which is dotted at the bottom and solid at the top.