Julius II – The ‘Warrior Pope’

287, Lot: 708. Estimate $150. Sold for $425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papale (Stato pontificio). Julius II (Giuliano Della Rovere). 1503-1513. Æ Medal (41mm, 30.51 g, 12h). Bust left, wearing zucchetto and mantum / View of the fortifications at Cività-Vecchia. Mazio 36; Lincoln 432. EF, dark brown surfaces, with some light spotting.

From an old English collection.

The altar boy and nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, Julius II dealt with foreign affairs very forcefully, regaining Perugia and Bologna from their despots, even leading troops himself. In mourning for the loss of Bologna, he wore a beard for nine months, a practice which Clement VII copied and made vogue. Julius II was also a patron of the arts, financing artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante.