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Catharine de'Medici: Death of Henry II

French
about 1630–35
Object Place: Europe, France

Medium/Technique Metal; copper alloy
Dimensions Coin or medal: 52 mm, 12h
Credit Line Bequest of J. B. How
Accession Number17.119
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsMedals

DescriptionCircular medal of Catherine de'Medici (1519-1589), queen of France, commemorating the death of her husband Henry II (1559). Beaded rim on both faces.

Obverse: Profile bust of Catherine de'Medici looking to proper right; inscribed at edge "KATHARINA·DE·MEDICIS·REGINA·FRAN".

Reverse: Lance broken in two, pointed-end at proper right and handle-end at proper left; inscribed at edge "LACRIMAE·HINC·HINC·DOLOR·".

Probably done at the Monnaie du Moulin by, or under the direction of, Alexandre Olivier and/or Pierre Regnier.
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "KATHARINA·DE·MEDICIS·REGINA·FRAN" ["Catherine de'Medici, Queen of the French"].

Reverse: Inscribed at edge "LACRIMAE·HINC·HINC·DOLOR·" ["Tears from this, from this sorrow"].
ProvenanceBy 1917, J. B. How; 1917, bequest of J. B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 18, 1917)