Albrecht of Brandenburg, 1490-1545, Cardinal 1518 [obverse]

German 16th Century

National Gallery of Art

The relief image depicts a man with a serious expression on a round medallion or coin. The man is wearing a hat with a rounded top and a high-collared garment with a button. The sculpture is made of a metallic material with a dull silver or greyish tone and a polished surface. There is an inscription in raised lettering around the edge of the medallion. The style is reminiscent of a classical or Renaissance period, and the relief work gives a three-dimensional appearance to the face and attire, allowing the features to stand out prominently against the flat background of the coin.