An Interesting Numismatic Portrayal
ITALY, Papal Coinage. Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi). 1655-1667. AR Giulio (26mm, 3.11 g, 12h). Rome mint. ALEX VII PONT MAX, papal arms; pellet stops / CVRA PECVNIAM CRESCENTEM SEQVITVR, draped table covered with coins; pellet stops. CNI XVI 26; Muntoni 14; Berman 1904. VF, toned.
Ex Luparello Collection.
The message conveyed on this coin is actually taken from Horace’s Ode 3.16, lines 17 and 18, which read “crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam / maiorumque fames.” Overall, the poem relates the problems which those with money face, as the line above translates to “worry [and hunger for greater things---maiorumque fames] accompanies money as it grows.” With this message, the Church wishes to show that vast wealth does not bring happiness and satisfaction, but rather greed and ever-increasing concern. As translated by Michael Gilleland, the final two lines of the Ode, 43-44, present a message which can be seen as one with the Church: “bene est, cui deus obtulit / parca quod satis est manu---it goes well for the man to whom god has offered, with a stingy hand, what is sufficient.”
