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Marco Polo: 500th Anniversary of his Birth
Italian
1954
Object Place: Italy
Medium/Technique
Metal; bronze
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 60 mm, 150 gm (2 3/8 in., 5.29 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of Il Sindaco di Venezia
Accession NumberRES.55.10
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionCircular medal of Marco Polo (1254-1324), probably commemorating the 500th anniversary of his birth.
Obverse: Chain motif at rim; bust of Marco Polo looking to proper right, wearing fur cap and a heraldic device at proper right; inscribed at proper right and left with Asian characters and under bust "SCARPABOLLA".
Reverse: The winged lion of Saint Mark's above a Chinese fortress with a dragon infront; inscribed on proper right fortress wall "[LVLA]/1254", on proper right wall "[MIA]/1954", underneath proper left wall "LORIOLI", and in exergue "VENEZIA/A/MARCO POLO".
Obverse: Chain motif at rim; bust of Marco Polo looking to proper right, wearing fur cap and a heraldic device at proper right; inscribed at proper right and left with Asian characters and under bust "SCARPABOLLA".
Reverse: The winged lion of Saint Mark's above a Chinese fortress with a dragon infront; inscribed on proper right fortress wall "[LVLA]/1254", on proper right wall "[MIA]/1954", underneath proper left wall "LORIOLI", and in exergue "VENEZIA/A/MARCO POLO".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at proper right and left with Asian characters and under bust "SCARPABOLLA".
Reverse: Inscribd on proper right fortress wall "[LVLA]/1254", on proper right wall "[MIA]/1954", underneath proper left wall "LORIOLI", and in exergue "VENEZIA/A/MARCO POLO".
Reverse: Inscribd on proper right fortress wall "[LVLA]/1254", on proper right wall "[MIA]/1954", underneath proper left wall "LORIOLI", and in exergue "VENEZIA/A/MARCO POLO".
Provenance1955, Il Sindaco di Venezia; 1955, given by Il Sindaco di Venezia to the MFA. (Accession date: April 14, 1955)