This medal was specially made to celebrate the Holy Alliance’s decisive naval victory over the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571, which was cause for rejoicing throughout Spain and Italy. The reverse depicts the battle with a figure of God in the heavens striking the enemy. The reverse inscription references the Latin excerpt from Exodus 15:6: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
Object Description
41 PIUS V Ghisheri 1571
Obv. Bust to left, wearing mozzetta and cap. Around, PIVS . V . PONT . OPT . MAX . ANNO . VI . ; below, F . P .
Rev. Naval battle. God hurls lightning above; on one of the boats, an angel holding cross and chalice. Around, DEXTERA . TVA . DOM . PERCVSSIT . INIMICVM . 1571
Gilt copper (original fire gilding), 37 mm.
The reverse inscription is from Exodus 15:6. Commemorates the Battle of Lepanto.
Bibl.: Arm. i, p. 226, 33; Houston, no. 239; Rosati, no. 126; Salton, no. 48; Kress, no. 373; Naples, p. 78; Supino, no. 375; Brescia 2, p. 8, nos. 109-11; Mazio, no. 96; Venuti, p. 125, no. 7; Bonnani, p. 297, no. 11; Tresor Papes, pl. 15,4; Martinori, fasc. xi, p. 23.