In the entire post of Poland's kings, there are few rulers who made their mark in Poland's history long before ascending to the throne.
One of them is undoubtedly Jan III Sobieski. A brilliant commander who paved the way to the Polish crown with victories in battles. Sealing it with the famous Chocim victory, commemorated with this very rare medal.
Unique in terms of Sobieski's depiction - as a hetman/commander, not a king. Without a laurel wreath or crown, wearing a shuba cast over braided armor.
Its author is the famous Danzig-based medalist Jan Höhn the younger. Commemorating this great victory over the Turks, he prepared two medals. The first presenting the siege of Chocim, which on the reverse recalls King Wisniowiecki, who died on the eve of the battle, and the one commemorating the victory, glorifying the commander who led to it - the future King of Poland Jan III Sobieski.
Very nice, cabinet-like state of preservation.
In addition, this is an item from the collection of Anthony Taraszka (provenance confirmed by Dariusz Jasek currently compiling this collection).
First time in our offer.
Obverse: bust in braided armor and shuba in front. In the rim:
IOANNES SOBIESKI MARESCH ET SUP DUX EXERC R POL.
Jan Sobieski, Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of the army, King of Poland.
Reverse: scene of the storming of the Turkish camp near Chocim by the Poles, with a view of its castle and the Dniester River. In the rim a panegyric:
FRANGERE SI MAGNUM EST EOAE CORNUA LUNAE VINCERE SPES OMNES, VINCERE CASTRA DUCES BISTONIAS ACIES URBESQ HAEC OMNIA MARTIS TE DUCE SARMATICI VICTA ROBORE CADUNT
In Raczynski's translation: If to break the horns of the eastern moon is a great thing, surpasses all hopes of victory over the camp, the chieftains, the Chocim array and the city; all this under your command, by the valor of Mars Sarmatian defeated, collapsed.
