Pope Gregory XIII (Ugo Buoncompagni, 1502–1585, pope 1572), Promulger of the Gregorian Calendar 1579

This Renaissance-era medal, crafted by Giovanni V. Melon in 1579, depicts Pope Gregory XIII, the promulgator of the Gregorian Calendar, in a profile portrait. The reverse side features a dragon, a symbol of the Pope's family crest, known as the Buoncompagni. This small, circular medal is a testament to the artistry of Melon, a young sculptor working during a time of great change in the Catholic Church. The piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and is a valuable piece of history.