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1 Quadrupla - Urban VIII
| Issuer | Papal States |
|---|---|
| Year | 1634 |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Obverse description | Right-facing draped bust of Pope Urban VIII wearing the papal camauro and richly ornamented cope, rendered in high relief with fine naturalistic detail characteristic of Gaspare Mola's engraving style. The papal vestments display elaborate acanthus scroll decoration, and the pontifical year numeral XII appears at the lower left field. The circular Latin legend VRBANVS VIII PONT MAX runs along the periphery, separated from the effigy by a finely beaded inner border. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Urban VIII — born Maffeo Barberini — was the pope who condemned Galileo in 1633, the year before this coin was struck. His pontificate was also marked by the disastrous Castro War and accusations that he had systematically stripped bronze from the Pantheon's portico to cast cannon for Castel Sant'Angelo, prompting the Roman witticism quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini. Papal gold of this weight and fineness was as much a diplomatic instrument as currency, routinely presented as gifts to foreign courts.