Commemorative medal from the time of King John III, minted to commemorate the orphaning of Ludwika Karolina Radziwillowna. Duchess, heiress of a large estate, who after the death of both her parents came under the protection of the Elector of Brandenburg, and in subsequent years married his son, not without opposition from the Polish king.
A very correctly preserved piece. Cabinet-like presentation in a nice old natural patina. Good relief, mint mirror preserved in shielded background areas. Beautiful border, without defects.
An interesting collectible medal, existing in clique varieties and appearing in both gold and silver.
Silver, diameter 43 mm, weight 29.83 g.
Obverse: popersie to the right. In the rim:
LUDOVICA CAROLINA RADZIVILIA D G BIRS DUB SLUC ET KOP DUX / ÆT 8 AN 1675 D 27 FEB.
Ludwika Karolina Radziwillowna by God's grace duchess of Birz, Dubinki, Slutsk and Kopyl / in the eighth year of her age 1675 on February 27.
Reverse: a bird left in the nest, watching two birds (parents) flying away to the sun, next to a hand approaching from the clouds - with a branch. In the sun a small inscription (the name of God). A shield with the coat of arms of the Radziwill family is leaning against the tree. In the field a panorama with the inscription BIRSE (name of the Radziwill castle). In the section an inscription:
PATER ME ET MATER ME A DERELIQVER ME; DOM A ASSUMPSIT ME. PS XXVII V X
My father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has accepted me. Psalm 27, verse 10.
