Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

Italy, Marcellus Malpighi, 1693, a copper medal by F. St Urbain, bust left, hair curled, rev. figure of Science reclining on sarcophagus, 36mm (Brettauer 733; BDM V, 312). Obverse a little stained, very fine (£40-60)

Marcellus Malpighi (1628-94) is considered the pioneer of plant anatomy and comparative physiology. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1669 and his Anatome Plantarum Idea was published in London in 1675