FIRENZE 1189-1532. Firenze Repubblica 1416 II semester. Cosimo di Giovanni de Medici .

FIRENZE 1189-1532. Firenze Repubblica 1416 II semester. Cosimo di Giovanni de Medici .

Silver GUELFO grosso da soldi 5 e denari 6 ( GROSSO worth 5 money and 6 pennies )              

EF - Very rare

Condition : Lightly toned

Size: 25 mm diameter

Wight: 2.95 Gr.

1a) – DET TIBI FLORERE XPS FLORA VERE - The Florentine Lily

2B) – SANTUS IOHANNE BATISTA - The saint sitting on a throne

Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici (27 September 1389 – 1 August 1464) was an Italian banker and politician who became the de facto first leader of Florence during the Italian Renaissance, establishing the Medici family as its effective leaders for generations.

His power derived from his wealth as a banker and intermarriage with other rich and powerful families. He was a patron of arts, learning, and architecture. He spent over 600,000 gold florins (approx. $500 million inflation adjusted) on art and culture, including Donatello's David, the first freestanding nude male sculpture since antiquity.

Despite his influence, his power was not absolute; he was viewed by fellow Florentine politicians as first among equals rather than an autocrat.  Florence's legislative councils resisted his proposals throughout his political career, even sending him into exile from 1433 to 1434.