"Thus protected, safer" proclaims to us the sentence in the rim of the reverse of this very rare numismat, associated with the beginning of the reign of John III Sobieski.
This is one of a series of two-dukats with the inscription "SIC MUNITA TUTIOR." An undated issue, which numismatists over the years have associated with the election or coronation of King John. Events that were almost two years apart.
The famous Chocim victory, on the eve of which King Korybut Wisniowiecki died, paved Sobieski's way to the throne. As early as May 21, 1674, he was elected king of Poland at the Electoral Sejm, but due to the difficult situation of the state, his coronation was postponed. It took place only on February 2, 1676.
Numismats from this series were associated with the election by, among others, Edward Raczynski and Emeryk Hutten-Czapski, dedicating a series of medals with the crown exposed to the latter event. The authors of a study of the medals in the Royal Castle's collection were of a different opinion, pointing to the crown on the eagle's head (absent on the medal with this sentence). However, it is another detail, absent from the two-dukes in the Castle's collection, that indicates to us that they were minted on the occasion of the coronation. Visible on the king's chest is a fragment of the Order of the Holy Spirit (cross), with which Sobieski was awarded in 1675, and which was given to him only a year later, in the year of his coronation.
Jan Höhn the younger, a prominent Danzig medalist, was responsible for their production. He prepared three stamps each for the issue of two-dukats, differing in, among other things, the depiction of the king and the arrangement of the eagle. This variety, with a bust of the king with a large head and an order on his chest, and the eagle flying to the right, is seen at auction in Poland for the first time.
Beautiful, with only a slight pendant mark, but no signs of wear. With preserved natural surface mint luster and very good relief. Attractive, especially considering its rarity.
Obverse: bust of the king in armor covered with a cloak, with pinned order and laurel wreath. In the rim: IOAN III D G REX POLON.
Reverse: rising above the clouds, towards the sun, a crowned eagle with a shield with the Janina coat of arms (Sobieski family coat of arms) on its breast. In the rim: SIC MUNITA TUTIOR.
