Ranuccio I Farnese, 1569-1622, duke of Parma and Piacenza. Medal, 1625 (Bronze, 53.83 mm, 76 g.) by Francesco Mocchi. RANVTIVS FARNESIVS PLAC ET PAR DVX III, Armored and draped bust of Ranuccio I Farnese to the left with bare-headed bearded face wearing badge of the Golden Fleece. Rev. On the plinth, PLAC CIV OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Equestrian monument with the duke on horseback facing left, in ancient-style armor, on a pedestal adorned with figural reliefs; in the exergue, FAN.CVS MOCHIVS F. Scaglia p. 332 n. 318. G. Crocicchio, Le Monete dei Farnese-La zecca di Piacenza 1545-1731, p. 177, n. 828. Affo’ 5, XLVII. A very fine contemporary cast, holed. The Scaglia collection catalogue states that only four examples of this medal are known. Excessively rare.

Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacnza, called the Tuscan sculptor Francesco Mochi from Rome to create two imposing bronze equestrian statues, one for himself and one for his father Alessandro, to be placed in the main square of Piacenza, now called Piazza Cavalli (cavalli=horses). The two equestrian statues are known as “Mochi's horses” and are one of the most important equestrian units in 17th-century Europe. They were cast in bronze in several stages over a period of about 17 years, using technical and formal solutions that were very advanced for the time.