Alexander VII (1655-67) Giulio Coin NGC AU50

Silver Giulio coin of Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667), Rome mint. Obverse: Coat-of-arms. Reverse: CVRA PECVNIAM CRESCENTEM SEQVITVR, draped table covered with coins. An example graded Sehr Schon (Very Fine, but closer to the U.S. grade Extremely Fine) sold at auction in May of 2008 for approximately $906.00 ($788.00 plus 15% auctioneer's fee). This = About Uncirculated.

The coins on the table are not a glorification of wealth but more of a message. The inscription is taken from Horace's Ode "“worry [and hunger for greater things] accompanies money as it grows.” The final two lines of the poem read: “bene est, cui deus obtulit / parca quod satis est manu" (It goes well for the man to whom god has offered, with a stingy hand, what is sufficient).