Claudius, Attended by Minerva and Liberalitas, Distributing Largesse [obverse] c. 1450

This bronze medal, created by Varrone Belferdino around 1450, depicts Claudius, the Roman emperor, seated on a throne and distributing largesse to the people. He is flanked by Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and Liberalitas, the goddess of generosity. The medal's intricate design and high relief style are characteristic of the Renaissance period, a time when artists looked to classical antiquity for inspiration. The inscription "AGVSTA" on the edge of the medal is likely a reference to the city of Augusta, which was the capital of the Roman province of Raetia. The medal serves as a reminder of the power and wealth of the Roman Empire and the importance of generosity and wisdom in leadership.