Poland (Białogon Foundry) Cast Medal ND - John III Sobieski (1674-1696)

29.24g. 44mm. UNC/UNC. 

Medalier: I. I. Reichel (signature on obverse: I. I. REICHEL. F.). 

Hutten-Czapski 3437 (R5); Raczyński 615. 

Obv.: Bust of John III Sobieski right, laureate, draped and cuirassed, wearing mantle fastened on the shoulder with lion-mask clasp. 

Inscription around: 

JOANNES . III . SOBIESCIUS . 

(John III Sobieski). 

Rev.: Multi-line Latin inscription: 

ELECTUS / A.D.1674.D.20.MAI, / CORON:A.D.1676.2.FEBR: / CIVIS, TVRCAS, PROFLIGAVIT / AD CHOTZIMVM, REX, VICTOR / EORVNDEM, VIENNAM / OBSIDIONE LIBERAVIT, / FORTITVDINE, ERVDITIONE, ET / ELOQVENTIA CONSPICVVS, / PRIVATVS CIVILIS DISSIDII / PARTICEPS, REX EODEM / MALO EXAGITATVS. / OB: VILLANOVIÆ / A.D.1696.ÆT:72.R.22. / D.17.JVN: 

(Elected on 20 May 1674, crowned on 2 February 1676; as a citizen he defeated the Turks at Khotyn, as king, victorious over the same enemy, he freed Vienna from siege; distinguished for courage, learning, and eloquence; as a private man involved in civil discord, and as king troubled by the same evil; died at Wilanów in 1696, aged 72, in the 22nd year of his reign, on 17 June). 

John III Sobieski (1629-1696) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, best known for his victories against the Ottoman Turks. Before his election he won fame at Khotyn, now Khotyn in Ukraine, and as king he played the decisive role in lifting the Ottoman siege of Vienna in Austria in 1683. His reign belongs to the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and he died at Wilanów, now part of Warsaw, Poland.