Francesco I Sforza (b. 1401; Duke of Milan 1450–66)

This portrait type is found much later in the Sforziada by Giovanni Simonetta (ca. 1490), suggesting that it became the official effigy of the Sforza. The letters "V.F" are found in other medals by Enzola and may come from Roman examples as a votive formula. The reverse composition is an impresa of the duke that is also found in the Sforziada, where it is accompanied by the motto "quietum nemo me impune lacessat" (may none disturb my calm with impunity). As a leading condottiere, Francesco worked for, among others, Filippo Maria Visconti, whose daughter, Bianca Maria, he married in 1441. In 1450, with the death of Filippo and after a period of unrest, Francesco became Duke of Milan. He was an effective ruler, and his court was a center of culture and learning.

Source: Scher, Stephen K., et al. The Scher Collection of Commemorative Medals. New York and London, 2019.