Poland (Białogon Foundry) Cast Medal ND - John II Casimir (1648-1668)

33.17g. 44mm. UNC/UNC. 

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

Hutten-Czapski 3426 (R3); Raczyński 604. 

Obv.: Bust of John II Casimir right, draped and cuirassed, with long curled hair. 

Inscription around: 

JOANNES . CASIMIRUS . 

(John Casimir). 

Rev.: Multi-line Latin inscription: 

SIGISMUNDI III. / EX CONSTANTIA AU- / STRIACA FILIUS ALTER. / PER 20.AÑOS CUM ADVERSA / FORTUNA LUCTATUS FORTITER / POST GESTA CUM COSACIS, / TARTARIS, SVECIS, MOSCHIS, / HUNGARIS, ET PROH DOLOR CUM / POLONIS BELLA, MALORUM / PERTAESUS REGIUM DIADEMA / DEPOSUIT. OBIIT ORBUS / NIVERNIÆ IN GALLIA / A.D.1672. AETAT:61. / D.16.DEC: 

(The second son of Sigismund III by Constance of Austria. For 20 years he struggled bravely with adverse fortune; after wars waged with Cossacks, Tatars, Swedes, Muscovites, Hungarians, and, alas, with the Poles, wearied by misfortunes he laid down the royal diadem. He died childless at Nevers in France in 1672, aged 61, on 16 December). 

John II Casimir (1609-1672), son of Sigismund III Vasa and Constance of Austria, was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. His reign was marked by major wars and internal crises, including conflicts with the Cossacks in what is now Ukraine, the Muscovites of Russia, the Swedes, and other enemies of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Exhausted by these disasters, he abdicated in 1668 and died in exile at Nevers in France.