Object Description
91 ALEXANDER VII Chigi, Pope 1655-67 1658
Obv. Bust to right, wearing cap and mozzetta. Around, ALEXAN . VII . PONT . MAX . A . IIII . ; below, MDCLVIII . GM .
Rev. Facade of church. Around, DILEXI . DOMINE . DECOREM . DOMVS . TVAE; in exergue * S : NICOLAO . *
Gilt bronze, 63 mm.
The reverse shows the facade of Bernini's church at Castel Gandolfo which Alexander commissioned in 1658. Initially dedicated to Saint Nicholas, it was later rededicated to the newly canonized Saint Thomas of Villanova, in 1659. The reverse inscription is from Psalms 25:8.
Bibl.: Forrer 4, p. 156; Brescia 2, p. 20, cp. no. 253; Mazio, no. 258; Venuti, p. 262, no. 16; Bonnani, p. 651, no. 13; Tresor Papes, pl. 33,4 (rev.).