Object Description
3 BORSO D'ESTE (1413-71), Duke of Modena and Reggio 1460
Obv. Bust to right, wearing cap with fluted crown and rich dress. Around, BORSIVS . DVX . MVTINE . ET . REGII . MARCHIO . ESTENSIS . RODIGII . . . COMES . ET C .
Rev. Unicorn in mountainous landscape, dipping horn into stream, sun above. Around, OPVS lACOBIS
LIXIGNOLO MCCCCLX
Lead, 81 mm. Hole at top
According to legend, the unicorn purified streams by dipping its horn in the water.
Bibl.: Corpus, no. 94; Arm. I, p. 33; Kress, no. 35; Brescia i, p. 8, no. 59; Tresor Ital. 2, pl. 55, 2; Tervarent, cols. 235—36 (Unicorn as purifier), col. 240, ix (Unicorn as device of Borso); Heraeus, pl. 52, 5; Gruyer i, p. 608; Heiss, Niccolo etc., p. 32, pl. 4, 1.