Poland (Białogon Foundry) Cast Medal ND - Wladislaus Jagello (1386-1434)

31.19g. 44mm. UNC/UNC. 

An old cast from the Białogon foundry, reproducing a medal from the Royal Suite series. 

Medalier: I. I. Reichel (I. I. R. on obverse). 

Hutten-Czapski 3424 (R2) (for prototype); Wiącek 90 (for prototype); Raczyński 602 (for prototype). 

Obv.: Bust of Wladislaus II Jagello right, bearded, in drapery, holding shield with mounted knight. 

Inscription around: 

WLADISLAVS JAGELLO M.DUX LIT. 

(Wladislaus Jagello, Grand Duke of Lithuania). 

Rev.: Multi-line Latin inscription: 

OLGERDI / FILIUS / SPONSUS HEDVIGI / A.D.1385. DESIGN: CORON: 1386 / LITHVANIAM POLONIAE / VNIVIT ET CHRISTIANAM / FECIT. ACADEMIAM / CRACOVIAE INSTITVIT / EQVITES TEVTONICOS / AD GRUNVALDAM / PROSTRAVIT, NOBILEM / NON NISI IVRE VICTVM / CAPTIVANDVM / DECREVIT. / OBIIT A.D.1434. / AETAT: 86. REGN: 48 / D. 31. MAII. 

(Son of Algirdas; married Hedwig in 1385, crowned in 1386; united Lithuania with Poland and made it Christian; established the academy in Kraków; defeated the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald; decreed that a noble, if defeated, should be captured only according to law; died in 1434 at the age of 86, after a reign of 48 years, on May 31). 

Wladislaus II Jagello (Władysław II Jagiełło) - (c. 1352-1434) was Grand Duke of Lithuania and later King of Poland, ruling over territories corresponding to modern Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, and parts of Ukraine. His marriage to Queen Hedwig of Poland led to the Christianization of Lithuania and the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian union, one of the most significant political developments in Eastern Europe. His reign saw the decisive victory over the Teutonic Order at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, a major turning point in the region’s history. He also supported the development of the University of Kraków, an important intellectual center in what is now modern Poland.