Cosimo I de' Medici, 1519-1574, 2nd Duke of Florence 1537, later Grand Duke of Tuscany [obverse]

Domenico Poggini

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a man with short, curly hair and a beard, facing to the right. He wears a detailed garment with a high collar and ornate decoration, including a medallion and what appears to be armor with rich textures implying intricate design. The sculpture is cast on a round coin-like object with a hole near the top edge. The color is warm, aged bronze with some darker and lighter patches, suggesting it might be bronze or a similar metal. The surface of the coin shows an inscription around the portrait's perimeter, and the raised relief of the figure is finely detailed, providing a sense of realism in the depiction of the man's features and attire.