The legend has figured on medals for various reasons over the course of four centuries.
One attributed to Gioacchino Francesco Travani, using a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was struck in 1659.
It depicts on one side a relief bust of Pope Alexander VII surrounded by an acanthus leaf border.
On the reverse a lion prostrates itself at the feet of an armed Androcles.
The complimentary Latin inscription reads 'Domenico Jacobacci to the generous prince: Even a wild animal remembers a favor'.
Jacobacci was the donor of the medal, which commemorates a pope who had been generous in rebuilding parts of Rome.
The lion represents the grateful city paying homage at the feet of the 'warrior' on its behalf.

The image of the grateful beast was a natural choice for the medals awarded in yearly recognition of prize-winners at the Royal Dick Veterinary College in Edinburgh.
Struck in copper and silver during the 1890s, they picture Androcles kneeling to relieve the suffering lion.
In the background are a cliff on the left and palm trees on the right; Androcles is depicted with African features.
A more schematic representation now forms the logo of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University.

In the 20th century, the Dutch Medal of Recognition 1940–1945 also pictured the scene of relieving the lion and was awarded to those who aided the Dutch during the period of World War II, or afterwards helped those who had suffered from the German occupation.
The subject was chosen because a lion was the national symbol.
The theme of gratitude is reinforced by the inscription about the edge: Sibi benefacit qui benefacit amico (He benefits himself who benefits a friend).
The legend has figured on medals for various reasons over the course of four centuries. One attributed to Gioacchino Francesco Travani, using a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was struck in 1659. It depicts on one side a relief bust of Pope Alexander VII surrounded by an acanthus leaf border. On the reverse a lion prostrates itself at the feet of an armed Androcles. The complimentary Latin inscription reads 'Domenico Jacobacci to the generous prince: Even a wild animal remembers a favor'. Jacobacci was the donor of the medal, which commemorates a pope who had been generous in rebuilding parts of Rome. The lion represents the grateful city paying homage at the feet of the 'warrior' on its behalf.
The image of the grateful beast was a natural choice for the medals awarded in yearly recognition of prize-winners at the Royal Dick Veterinary College in Edinburgh. Struck in copper and silver during the 1890s, they picture Androcles kneeling to relieve the suffering lion. In the background are a cliff on the left and palm trees on the right; Androcles is depicted with African features. A more schematic representation now forms the logo of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University.
In the 20th century, the Dutch Medal of Recognition 1940–1945 also pictured the scene of relieving the lion and was awarded to those who aided the Dutch during the period of World War II, or afterwards helped those who had suffered from the German occupation. The subject was chosen because a lion was the national symbol. The theme of gratitude is reinforced by the inscription about the edge: Sibi benefacit qui benefacit amico (He benefits himself who benefits a friend).
Androcles