Poland (Białogon Foundry) Cast Medal ND - Sigismund III Vasa (1587-1632)

32.10g. 44mm. UNC/UNC.

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

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

Hutten-Czapski 3433 (R3) (for prototype); Raczyński 611 (for prototype).

Obv.: Bust of Sigismund III right, wearing a hat with plume and armor.

Inscription around:

SIGISMUNDUS III

(Sigismund III).

Rev.: Multi-line Latin inscription:

JOANNIS REG. / SVECIAE FILIUS, / SIGISMUNDI I. JAGEL. EX / MATRE CATHARINA NEPOS, / ELECT. A.D. 1587. D. 19. AUG. CAE- / SARI SCEPTRI AEMULO MAXIMIL., / AVSTRIO CORON. 27. DEC. SVEC. REG- / NVM AMISIT OB FIDEM CATHOLICAM / CONSTANTER PROFESSAM, EJUS / AVSPICIIS VICINI POLON. HOSTES / SAEPE PROFLIGATI, SMOLENSCUM / AB IPSOMET CAPTVM, CVM TVRCIS / DECORA PAX ARMIS PARTA / CIVILES MOTVS COMPRESSI / OBIIT VARSAVIAE IN ARCE / QVAM INSTAVRAVIT / A.D. 1632. AET. 66. R. 45. / DIE 30. APR.

(Son of John, King of Sweden; grandson of Sigismund I Jagiellon through his mother Catherine; elected king in 1587 on August 19, defeating his rival Maximilian of Austria; crowned on December 27; he lost the Swedish crown for steadfast adherence to the Catholic faith; under his command neighboring enemies were often defeated; Smolensk was taken by him; an honorable peace was concluded with the Turks; civil unrest was suppressed; he died in Warsaw in the castle which he had rebuilt, in 1632, aged 66, after 45 years of reign, on April 30).

Sigismund III Vasa (Zygmunt III Waza) (1566-1632) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and also King of Sweden until his deposition. His reign was marked by dynastic conflicts with Sweden, wars with Muscovy, and efforts to strengthen royal authority, as well as by the transfer of the royal residence to Warsaw, which became the political center of the Commonwealth.