Urban VIII, Maffeo Barberini of Florence. Pope from 1623 to 1644. The Vatican Armory. Bronze annual medal 1639 Year XVI. By Gaspare Mola. (Bronze, 43.14 mm, 30.48 g). VRBANVS VIII PON MAX A XVI Bare-headed bust right with cope decorated with arabesques and showy jewel button; under the bust, GASP MOLO. Rev. bee PACIS INCOLVMITATI View of the interior of the Vatican Armory; in exergue, ROMAE. Miselli 2003, 306/b. Bartolotti 1967, 639. Modesti 2007, 106. Late cast. Extremely Fine. 150 bronze specimens minted.

Ex Tkalec, May 7, 2008 part II, lot 227.

Urban VIII, concerned about the wars pervading Italy and Europe, thought of strengthening the papal army by identifying a place to set up the armoury so that weapons could be easily reached by soldiers in case of fighting within the walls. For this purpose, some rooms under the Library were converted. This medal was the last "annual" executed by Gaspare Mola, as he died in January 1640.