1 Giulio - Leo X St. Peter's Basilica

Historical Context: This 1 Giulio, issued from Ancona during the pontificate of Leo X (1513-1521), encapsulates the grandeur and challenges of the High Renaissance Papacy. Giovanni de' Medici, Leo X, was a prodigious patron of the arts, epitomizing the era's cultural flourishing. His ambitious projects, particularly the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, necessitated vast expenditures. Coins like this giulio, associated with fundraising for the basilica, inadvertently contributed to the sale of indulgences, a pivotal catalyst for the Protestant Reformation during his reign.

Artistry: The design of this Ancona giulio reflects the prevailing High Renaissance aesthetic. While a specific engraver is not universally attributed, the execution adheres to classical revival principles. The obverse typically features the elaborate Papal arms of Leo X, displaying the Medici family's heraldry with the keys of St. Peter and the Papal tiara. The reverse commonly depicts St. Peter enthroned, a powerful religious icon, rendered with emphasis on idealized form and balanced composition characteristic of the era.

Technical/Grading: Struck in .9201 fine silver, weighing 3.58 grams and measuring 27 mm, this giulio exhibits typical characteristics of early 16th-century hammer-struck coinage. High-points prone to wear or weakness include the intricacies of the Papal tiara and the Medici balls on the obverse. On the reverse, St. Peter’s facial features, hands, and drapery folds are often the first areas to show flattening. Collectors should observe for full details in these areas, along with strike consistency, centering, and planchet imperfections common to the period.