Claude du Molinet - Historia Summorum Pontificum (…) per Eorum Numismata - 1679

This magnificent scholarly work of the seventeenth century traces the history of the popes through their medals and coins, written by Father Claude du Molinet.

HISTORIA SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM A MARTINO V. AD INNOCENTIUM XI. PER EORUM NUMISMATA
Ab anno MCCCCXVII ad ann. M.DC.LXXVIII. Auct. Claudio du Molinet Canonico Regulari Congregationis Gallicanae.
Lutetiae [Paris], Apud Ludovicum Billaine Bibliopolam Parisiensem, Cum Privilegio Regis Christianiae, M.DC.LXXIX (1679).

A complete large-format volume richly illustrated, opening with a superb copperplate frontispiece representing the author’s portrait framed by putti on a monumental pedestal. The work includes a detailed preface (notably mentioning the librarian Gabriel Naudé) and presents numerous engravings of pontifical medals numbered and arranged for each pope (such as Eugene IV, Nicholas V, Callistus III, Sixtus IV, etc.), accompanied by their coats of arms, ornate initials and engraved banners.

A superb full-leather binding in very good condition. Some wear and rubbing. Fresh interior. The half-title page with old restoration. Small wormholes without serious damage.

Claude du Molinet (1620–1687), Regular Canon of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris and a great antiquarian, was renowned for his numismatic passion and his conservation work within the famous library of the Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève. This work constitutes a pioneering milestone in ecclesiastical numismatics, combining the political and religious history of the papacy with the rigorous study of commemorative medals.