Italy. Kingdom of Sicily. Charles VI of Habsburg, 1711-1740. Medal, 1719 (Silver, 44 mm, 29.79 g) by G.W. Vestner and P.P. Werner. For the Surrender of the Citadel of Messina. CAROLVS VI D G - ROM IMP SEMP AVG, Laureate and draped bust right; below, V. Rev. NIHIL OBSTAT CAESARIS ARMIS, Plan of the City and Port of Messina, over which Victory flies, bearing crown and shield; on lower left, W; in exergue, CASTELLVM MESSINAE / IN DEDIT REDACT / A MDCCXIX. Montenuovo 1544. Siciliano 91. Sicilia Numismatica, pl. 232. Wonderful specimen with a splendid iridescent patina. Near Uncirculated. Extremely Rare: struck for a very limited number of Officers.

Imperial medal of 1719 struck by Charles VI to celebrate the surrender of Messina during the War of Sicily of 1718-1720. On the reverse, the plan of the citadel and the harbor, with the legend (translated) "Nothing obstructs the arms of the Emperor." A clear message of military propaganda, celebrating the presumed invincibility of the Austrians. But behind the triumphalist emphasis, the fact remains that control of the island was temporary and contested: the reality was less glorious than the medal wants to make us believe. A small medallic masterpiece, between art, rhetoric, and imperial ambition.