Presentation medal (Gnadenpfennig) of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (1558–1620) 1607 - 1617

This presentation medal, or Gnadenpfennig, was created by Alessandro Abondio between 1607 and 1617 to honor Maximilian, Archduke of Austria. The medal features a detailed profile portrait of Maximilian in gold on a black enamel ground, surrounded by a Latin inscription. The medal is suspended from a chain decorated with enameled coats of arms and is adorned with a pearl at the bottom. The intricate design and use of enamel demonstrate the skilled craftsmanship of the Renaissance period and the importance of celebrating royal figures in this era. The medal is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.