| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 162 | Auction date: 6 November 2025 |
| Lot number: 1401 Price realized: 140,000 CHF (Approx. 172,584 USD / 150,355 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Poland Kingdom. Jana III Sobieskiego, 1674-1696 AV Medal (8 Ducats) 1673, AV 27.73 g. 42mm. On the victory of the future king, Grand Crown Hetman (Field Marshal) Jan (III) Sobieski, over the Turks at Chocim (Ukrainian Хотин). Dies by Johann Höhn the Younger (unsigned). IOANNES SOBIESKI MARESCH & SUP DUX EXERC R POL Bust of the Marshal with moustache, wearing chain mail and a fur coat with a rich clasp with two tassels at the front. Rev. The price of the Polish assault on the Turkish camp near Chocim, with a view of its castle and the Dniester River. In the border, above panegyric: FRANGERE SI MAGNUM EST EOÆ CORNUA LUNÆ / VINCERE SPES OMNES VINCERE CASTRA DUCES / BISTONIAS ACIES URBESQ HÆC OMNIA MARTIS / TE DUCE SARMATICI ROBORE VICTA / CADUNT. Hutten-Czapski 7721 (R6, this medal?, also 27.7 g). Extremely rare, missing in the Chelminski and in the Frankiewicz collection. Usual die cracks on reverse, the finest known example of this most artistic medal, superb extremely fine Ex Waldo Newcomer Collection, purchased directly from J. Schulman 13.12.1936. The Battle of Chocim in 1673 was part of the long-standing conflict between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottomans for control of the border regions. In the battle, Polish Hetman Jan Sobieski, later King Jan III Sobieski, led the Commonwealth troops to a decisive victory. The Polish-Lithuanian forces were able to repel the Ottoman troops under the command of Grand Vizier Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha and inflict heavy losses. This victory consolidated Poland's position in the region and strengthened Sobieski's reputation as an outstanding military leader. The Battle of Chocim also had political significance: shortly afterwards, Jan Sobieski was elected King of Poland. The success contributed to the stabilisation of the border areas and was an important step in the fight against Ottoman expansion in Eastern Europe. The battle is considered a symbolic event in Polish military history and is often remembered as an example of resistance against the Ottoman threat. Estimate: 75000 CHF |  |
Match 1:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 162 | Auction date: 6 November 2025 |
| Lot number: 1402 Price realized: 32,000 CHF (Approx. 39,448 USD / 34,367 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Poland Kingdom. Jana III Sobieskiego, 1674-1696 AV Medal (1 1/2 Ducats) 1676, AV 5.12 g. 21mm. On the coronation of his wife Maria Kazimiera de La Grange d'Arquien at Wawel Castle. MARIA CASIMIRA CORON IN REGIN POL M D L DIE 2 FEB 1676 Draped bust of Maria Kasimira to the left. Rev. FULGORIS SOCIAM VOCAT IN CONSORTIA REGNI Diana on a chariot in the clouds, pulled by two deer towards the radiant sun. Hutten-Czapski - (compare 10383, 2 Ducats). Very rare. Metal flaw on bust, otherwise lustrous extremely fine Estimate: 10000 CHF |  |
Match 2:
| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 162 | Auction date: 6 November 2025 |
| Lot number: 1398 Price realized: 280,000 CHF (Approx. 345,168 USD / 300,710 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Poland Kingdom. Zygmunt III Waza, 1587-1632, 1592/1599 king of Sweden 100 Ducats 1621, Bydgoszcz (Bromberg) mint, mint master Jacob Jacobson van Emden, AV 347 g. Dies by Samuel Ammon. SIGISMVNDVS III D G POLONIÆ ET SVECIÆ REX Armoured and draped bust right, wearing ruff and collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Rev. MAGNVS DVX LITVAN RVSS - PRVSS MAS SAM LIVON ZC Crowned ornate coat of arms within collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece, between the coat of arms and the collar are the initials of the mint master II - VE and the die cutter S - A, in small numerals above, the year 16-21. On both sides oak wreath border. F. 72 ("very rare"); Kopicki 1441 (R8); Jasek passim and p 63-65 (this piece, no. 07) and p 85-86 (this piece, no. 18); Dutkowski 93. Extremely rare and with a remarkable provenance; possibly from former papalproperty. A pleasing portrait of Zygmunt III Waza of fine stye. Marked value 100 punched on edge and several marks in field and on edge, otherwise very fine Ex Waldo Newcomer Collection, purchased directly from J. Schulman 13.12.1936. Ex Stanislaus Siedlecki (1854-1909) coll., Henry Chapman, Philadelphia sale 22.4.1911, no. 162. "The most spectacular gold coin in Polish numismatics" as Dariusz F. Jasek mentioned in the subtitle of his monograph on this gold giant. . The provenance reported in The Numismatist magazine (cited from Jaschek p. 86) "this coin is said to have given to the reigning Pope at the time, and two hundred years afterward it was obtained from a descent of the same Pope" cannot be further verified. If this is the case, it must have been given by the Polish king to Gregory XV (1621–1623) or, under certain circumstances, to Urban VIII (1623–1644). Regarding the occasion for the minting of this extraordinary coin, we quote Jaschek (pp. 33–34): 'Following most well-known sources, the Polish 1621 hundred ducats coin was struck to commemorate and honour the Polish victory over the Turks at Chocim. Despite the unquestionable importance of the religious meaning behind the battle of Chocim, from a militaristic perspective it could hardly be called a victory for the Commonwealth. The battle of Chocim resulted with the signing of the peace treaty, because both sides were unwilling to continue. On the Polish garrison, gunpowder had almost run out, and the Ottoman forces were weary to new attacks. The upcoming winter was also a factor to cut of battles on both sides. By signing a peace treaty, the Commonwealth acknowledged the supremacy of the Ottoman empire over Moldova and promised to put an end to the Cossacks from invading Turkish territories. The Ottomans agreed to respect and leave the Commonwealth border at the Dniester river unchanged, and undertook to stop the Tartars from invading the Commonwealth lands. Such conditions and terms cannot be claimed as a great military victory of the Polish allied army, but rather a compromise between two forces. However, the battle of Chocim may be considered to be important to commemorate by minting such a noticeable gold coin because of its religious aspect. For the first time in this period of European history, the invincible Ottoman power and the Sultan's dreams of a further Islamic expansion into Christian countries was effectively hampered by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth army. As a zealous-Catholic, King Sigismund III Vasa could announce his religious victory by minting the 100 ducats pieces. In doing so he could glorify the power and majesty of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, under the pretext of being the defender of Christianity against Muslims in Europe. The commemoration of the Battle of Chocim may not be the only possible reason of minting. The justification for minting this coin may also be much more prosaic. At the time decisions made by the Polish King Sigismund III Vasa were staunchly different from those made by other European rulers. For almost the entire period of his reign in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, King Sigismund III Vasa directed his efforts to expand the union with Lithuania to new countries, namely Sweden and Muscovy. Consecutively, he displayed considerable megalomania and obsession with his power because despite existing tensions with his realm, he was willing to wage war against other nations to get closer to the aforementioned goal. In addition to the endless wars with Sweden, in 1609-1618 there was also an armed conflict between the Commonwealth and Russia, also known as the Moscow War or the Polish-Russian War. What's of significance is that, regardless of the initial success early in the battle, the chance to take the throne in Moscow was lost. It's also remarkable, that despite winning a number of battles, the Polish King did not win any important wars. Eventually, he did not take the throne of Sweden, for which he was constantly thriving for, nor Muscovy, and he remained the King of Poland until his death in 1632. All in all, minting the largest gold coin at the time may be found here as a need for King Sigismund to satisfy his ego, and a way to stress the importance of his rule and power to other countries. Finally, although the battle of Chocim is the only important event to achieve commemoration in 1621 in the Commonwealth, the emission of the hundred ducats pieces has earned an entirely different interpretation. This is attributed to it being used as a regular trade coin. Instead of presenting the commemorated event on one side, as could be expected (this battle is not mentioned by name on this coin!), a very regular element found in other coins – the king, the legends with his title, and the arms – were punched on both sides of the hundred ducats. However, by issuing such a large gold trade coin the prestige of the ruler was highlighted anyway. When looking for a reason to use such a large coin in transactions, we need to remember that at the time an enormous amount of money was transferred from the Commonwealth to Hungary. What's significant is that three pieces of the 100 ducats were found in the collection of the Hungarian family of Esterházy. At that time trade between Hungary and the Commonwealth was intensive, and such a large gold coin could easily be used for payments, as a regular trade coin. Also a huge flow of gold coins to Gdansk resulted with a stable supply of a large amount of raw material for minting gold coins in Poland. Next to its size, the only aspect making this coin unusual, when compared to other trade coins, are the dies used for minting, which are absolutely a masterpiece of the die-sinker'. Estimate: 350000 CHF |  |
Match 3:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 20 | Auction date: 18 October 2025 |
| Lot number: 540 Price realized: 6,000 CHF (Approx. 7,546 USD / 6,463 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: POLAND, Monarchs. Jan III Sobieski, 1674-1696. Medal 1683 (Silver, 52 mm, 72.00 g), on the Battle of Vienna 1683 and Johann Georg III Elector of Saxony (1680-1691). By J. Höhn, Danzig (Gdańsk). IOH•GEORG•III•D:G:DUX•SAX• - S•R•I•ARCHIM&EL• Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Johann Georg III to right. Rev. RECTIS FAS CEDERE CURVA – ROMANIS BARBARA SUBSINT Lance with pennant bearing the coat of arms of Saxony planted on a hill; in left field, coat of arms; in right field, turban; above, Saxon electoral cap; below, broken Turkish sabers; in background, view of Vienna and the fleeing Turkish army. Engelhardt 998. Hirsch 24. Merseburger 1232. Montenuovo 930. Tentzel 65l. Very rare and with beautiful old cabinet toning. Minor marks and edge nicks, otherwise, extremely fine. The legendary defense against the Ottoman invasion before Vienna in 1683 was perceived as a major European event. On this occasion, confessional divisions and political quarrels were set aside: troops of the Holy Roman Empire fought alongside those of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - whose king, Jan III Sobieski, commanded the Catholic contingents of the campaign - together with forces from the Republic of Venice and the Papal States, united against the invader. The significance of the victory found expression in the striking of numerous commemorative medals. Among the rarest issues celebrating the repulse of the Turkish siege are those created by the Danzig artist Johann Höhn (1635-1693), son of a medalist who had studied under the renowned German engraver Sebastian Dadler (1586-1657). Höhn's medal specifically honors the 10,400-strong Saxon force led personally by Elector Johann Georg III into the decisive battle of Kahlenberg on 12 September 1683. During the engagement, Johann Georg was struck by a Turkish bullet but escaped injury thanks to the quality of his cuirass. The valor displayed by the Saxons and their elector before Vienna left a lasting impression on the Polish king and his court. This goodwill later proved advantageous to Johann Georg's son, Augustus the Strong, whose election as King of Poland in 1697 owed much to this favorable disposition. Estimate: 1500 CHF |  |
Match 4:
| Spink > Auction 25360 | Auction date: 9 December 2025 |
| Lot number: 9 Price realized: 2,500 GBP (Approx. 3,336 USD / 2,864 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: HIS MAJESTY THE KING'S SOLICITOR GENERAL'S ROYAL GOLD BADGE FROM THE REIGN OF CHARLES II , Solicitor General's Royal Gold Badge, c. 1660-1670, unsigned, but attributed to Thomas Rawlins, crowned, armoured and draped bust left, C2-R across field, surrounded by floral oak border, rev. as before, 25mm x 29mm, 4.77g, 12h (E. Hawkins Medallic Illustrations [1885], Vol. I, p. 446, no. 23 [Unpublished in Gold]; Murdoch [1904], 209b [Silver]; Eimer 205 variety; Dr Jerome J. Platt, lot 107 [Silver])., Struck in low relief upon two embossed clichées soldered; with historic scratches to King's cheek and a hint of crimping to foils, a very rare Restoration Supporters' Badge, presumed UNIQUE in gold, and of the greatest historical interest as pedigreed to the family of Sir Francis Winnington.. Charles II (29 May 1630 - 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651, and after his Restoration in 1660, King of England and Ireland until his death in 1685. He was the eldest surviving son of King Charles I and Henrietta Maria; whose own medallic legacy is as broad as it is artistically rich. After the regicidal execution at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, the Parliament of Scotland proclaimed Charles II as King on 5 February. , Royal favour and likewise reciprocal fealty, both civic and bellic, was established with the gifting and wearing of such badges as the present specimen. As Edward Hawkins (Medallic Illustrations, Vol. I, pp. 437-446) has noted: "The following badges were doubtless worn as medals or ornaments, and were indications of affection to the monarchy, either upon the prospect of its speedy restoration or upon its actual re-establishment... all must have been executed, as the portraits and dress show, during the King's exile or very early in his reign." Compelling evidence for this is to be found in contemporary surviving documents archived with the Office of the Privy Council: , Sir John Smythe of Lord Grandison's Horse and Sir Robert Welch of Wilmot's Horse were honoured on 1 June 1643 with "a gold medal with the effigies of himself [the King] and his son to the chief personages who have aided the Royal cause" in response to their gallant conduct in rescuing the Royal Standard at the Battle of Edgehill. The original instruction to Sir William Parkhurst and Thomas Bushell, Wardens of the Royal Mint at the Tower of London elaborates this matter further: "We are not satisfied by having imparted to them the true sence we conceive of their dutifull affections in Our Letters, and Our Verball thanks for the same, without leaving some more durable Monument of Our Royall Grace, and favour to remaine in after ages, as an Evidence of their Fidelity to their Prince and Country. We have therefore caused Our owne Royall Image, with that or our dearest Sonne, Prince Charles, to be impressed on a Medall of Gold, and a Commemoration of his well-deservings to whom it was designed, to be inscribed on the Reverse, whereby his Posterity may assume the Glory that their Ancestor stood Loyall to their Sovereigne when the Malignity of Rebellion had neere covered the face of his flourishing Kingdom. Theses Medalls We require that your present in Our Name with your owne hands to those worthy Personages, as they are severally nominated, and to certifie to Vs who are remayning more in Our said County, which have deserved such Memorialls, to whom We shall thereupon accordingly confer the same." [sic] , As Helen Farquhar separately summarised: "such evidences of loyalty were after the King's death a danger to the owners, and the temptation to melt the Gold was strong - although when their services had been called for by Charles, not only their plate, but their lives, had [often] been proffered for his cause.", An equally compelling story now relates the history of this unique object. Evidently personal, likely a Royal presentation, or at the very least of close Royal association, genealogical research only solidifies its remarkable pedigree. Prior to its appearance at Messrs Sotheby in 1949, this prize was in the possession of spinster Margaret Warre. The third of four daughters by her clergyman father; her paternal grandmother heralded from a scion of the Calverts of Hunsdon House. Through a succession of Parliamentary Members and a childless-uncle, Felix Calvert MP was the grandson of Sir Francis Winnington, late Solicitor-General to His Majesty King Charles II. It is likely that his own father Major Winnington was the very same who surrendered the Royalist Garrison at Worcester during the Civil War. His meteoric rise through influential court circles began with his appointment as standing counsel to Prince Rupert in the decade after being called to the Bar ex gratia. His license to practice from 9 February 1660, occurred just one week after General George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle had entered London to recall Parliament and initiate the articles of Restoration of King Charles II. An evidently loyal confidant to the Crown, he was soon appointed Attorney-General to the Duke of York, the future King James II (whose touch-piece is offered as lot 12). He proclaimed that 'he stood obliged to Prince James above all other persons'. On 17 December 1672, he was knighted. Two years later, the King appointed him Solicitor-General to the Crown, and by further personal request, as Member of Parliament for Windsor in 1677. This prestigious role granted Winnington enhanced political influence over the Royal Borough not least for its hosting the famous Royal residence frequently occupied at the Sovereign's pleasure. His appointment evidently reflected his familiarity with the Castle learned through his defence of Lord Mordaunt, her constable, against Parliamentary impeachment in 1666, a lesson that would prove useful later in life. Surviving fee-books at Stanford Court (Worcs) document Winnington's annual income during this period. Approaching 4,000l. per annum, this supreme salary entirely befits the exclusive grandeur of this award; whether he privately commissioned Rawlins or was the recipient of the King's benevolence remains tantalisingly unclear with either remaining conceivable and possible. As hysteria swirled regarding the threat of the Catholic cause in England, Winnington found himself at increasing odds with his Royal patrons. Over the course of Spring 1678, his position on the matter evolved leaving to the following proclamations to the Chamber: , "I am obliged to maintain the King's prerogative by the place I hold, and the privileges of the House as a Member of it." , "If what I say be not acceptable to the House, I protest I speak it not out of favour to the Duke, but for the preservation of the Protestant cause. Now that this thing is brought on, let us do like honest men and Protestants. If we divide upon the question, the Papists will have more encouragement than the Duke ever gave them." , Upon the second reading of the bill that originated from the committee on which he served, he voted it down, adding without apology: "All these dangers, past and present, do arise from Popery; and how impossible it is it should be otherwise as long as there is a popish successor.... ", However, in a piece of political subterfuge worthy of its own documentary, the convenient surfacing of "the Danby letters" at this time found him to be in direct contradiction with his own assurances to the House. Despite declaring the letters treasonable, the subsequent dissolution of Parliament led to his prompt dismissal from office as Solicitor-General. Returned to Parliament now as Member for Worcester, his fortunes swayed from ridicule to begrudging respect, often overcome by the extraordinarily political head-winds at play in 17th Century England as much as a bout of constitutionally-inspirational oratory. Despite railing against the Popish plotters and the looming Coronation of King James II, he declared a 'Regency Act' nonsense, for: "to make a man King and not suffer him to exercise kingly power is a contradiction". Until his passing in May 1700, he remained a staunch defender of the House and the dissemination of its rulings, for as he opined: "I think it not natural nor rational that the people who sent us hither should not be informed of our actions." In life he was a skilled horse man; in death, his legacy was the commencement of an important political dynasty, very much worthy of this Royalist Gold Badge, as much as a splendid miniature by celebrated Royal artist Sir Peter Lely that also remained in the family possession into the 19th Century. , Provenance, From the Baumhauer Collection of British Medals, Edward St George, Spink Auction 120, 9-10 July 1997, lot 399*, Reverend Arnold Mallinson, Spink Auction 39, 7 December 1984, lot 107*, Miss Agnes Margaret Warre (1864-1946), Sotheby's, 24 May 1949, lot 16 - "doubly pierced, very fine and very rare" - £9.10.0 [Spink for Mallinson], Reverend Francis Warre (1834-1917), thence to his daughter, Mary Caroline Felicia Calvert (1809-1895), thence to her son, Nicolson Calvert, the Younger MP (1764-1841), thence to his daughter, Nicolson Calvert, the Elder MP (1724-1793), of Hunsdon House, Co. Herts, died without issue; Estate to his nephew, Felix Calvert MP (1693-1755), of Albury Hall, Co. Herts, thence to his son, Mary Winnington (1673-1729), of Marcham, Co. Berks, thence to her eldest son, Sir Francis Winnington (1634-1700), Solicitor-General to King Charles II, and Member of Parliament for Windsor, thence to his daughter, , An oil-on-vellum miniature of this sitter is preserved in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 305) Estimate: £3000 - £5000 |  |
Match 5:
| Spink > Auction 25007 | Auction date: 10 December 2025 |
| Lot number: 454 Price realized: 95,000 GBP (Approx. 126,464 USD / 108,797 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: PCGS SP58 | Poland, Augustus II "Mocny" (1697-1706 / 1709-1733), temp. Great Northern War (1706-1709), "Restoration to the Polish Crown" Gold Medal of 50-Ducats, 1709, by Heinrich Paul Groskurt, Court Medallist at Dresden, after the Battle of Poltava and Treaty of Thorn, D G AVGVSTVS II REX POLON ELECT SAXON, rev. FVLCITVR PRVDENTIA in scroll, Column entwined with a serpent, Elbe landscape in the background, above a ribbon with the inscription, edge plain, 173.481g, 12h (Heinrich Lübeck [1737], p. 56, no. 2; Kluczycki [1835], - cf. 133; Dassdorf -, cf. 1174-1176; Numophylacii Ampachiani [1835], -, cf. 15099-15101; Hutten-Czapski 2704 [AE, 66mm], cf. 2705 [AE, 44mm]; Göttingen University MA 0866 [Sn; 65mm]; Krakow MNK VII-Md-791 [AR; 80.8mm; 229.85g]; Dresden State Art Collection 3692), with a few light cabinet marks, otherwise colourfully if softly cabinet toned, a pleasingly bold extremely fine, believed UNIQUE in this metal and for this remarkable weight with no comparable in private or institutional collections, and thus one of the most important pieces of Polish numismata to re-surface at global auction in living memory!, in PCGS holder, graded SP58 (Cert. #55968366). Provenance, NAC 3 (Zurich), 17 September 1990, lot 836*, , , https://www.pcgs.com/cert/55968366 , , Augustus II (1670-1733), known as "Augustus II Mocny", meaning "the Strong", was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1697 to 1733. He was simultaneously Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I from 1694 until his death in 1733. The second son of Elector John George III of Saxony, Augustus succeeded as elector in 1694 after the death of his elder brother from smallpox. , After the death of John III Sobieski of Poland, Augustus became one of eighteen candidates to the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The death of Sobieski marked the end of a twenty-two-year reign and a period marked within the Commonwealth as one of great stability. He was a popular ruler, remembered as a great military commander and noted for his victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 over the neighbouring Ottoman Empire. , To secure the Polish throne Augustus converted from Lutheranism to Catholicism in 1697, which was necessary to rule the predominantly Catholic Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He won a contested election, defeating other candidates including the French-backed Prince of Conti. , In 1573 the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted an elective monarchy system, meaning when the monarch died the throne was not automatically passed to their legitimate heir. Instead, the entire nobility, known as 'szlachta', assembled to vote for their next ruler and therefore elected the king to act as a servant to the nation. The szlachta, became the dominant social class within the commonwealth which was able to exercise political rights and social power. However, this echelon of society differed from the nobility of other western-European countries. As well as the power to select their monarch and control legislature they were also understood to be equals before the king rather than subservient to him. One factor which influenced this was the fact their land was in full ownership rather than feudal tenure. This political culture of egality came to be embedded as a constitutional principle known as Golden Liberty. , This system ensured that monarchs could not build up hereditary dynastic power, each monarch had to negotiate and promise to respect noble privileges, and foreign powers could be waged against each other (candidates often came from different European dynasties). One of the problems this caused was that there was often little incentive to invest in long-term reforms, knowing their sons would not automatically inherit. , This was a frustration of Augustus II, as he could not guarantee his son's succession and had limited ability to strengthen the monarchy or implement lasting changes. His attempts to strengthen royal authority and reform the commonwealth met fierce resistance. The Saxon-Polish personal union also drained Polish resources, as Augustus often prioritised Saxon interests. His son Augustus III did eventually win election in 1733, but only after the War of the Polish Succession. , The defining conflict of Augustus' reign was the Great Northern War against Sweden's Charles XII. It was a major conflict that reshaped the balance of power in Northern and Eastern Europe. At the war's outset, Sweden under King Charles XII was the dominant military power in the Baltic region but faced a coalition of enemies including Russia under Peter the Great, Denmark-Norway under Frederick IV, and Saxony-Poland-Lithuania led by Augustus II. This triple alliance hoped to take advantage of the young and inexperienced 18-year-old King of Sweden. The war did ultimately end with Sweden's defeat and marked the rise of Russia as the new dominant power in the Baltic sea region. , Augustus played a significant but troubled role in the conflict. He was one of the key instigators of the war, forming an alliance with Denmark and Russia in 1699 to challenge Swedish supremacy. However, Charles XII defeated him repeatedly and by 1706 Augustus was forced to renounce the Polish throne and break his alliance with Russia after Sweden invaded Saxony. He only returned to power after Charles XII suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, although he remained a relatively minor player for the remainder of the war. , The Battle of Poltava was a resounding Russian victory over Sweden and in turn made Russia the leading political voice within the conflict. In October 1709 the Treaty of Thorn was signed between Augustus and Peter the Great, which in effect revived their earlier alliance of 1699 and worked to unite them against their common rival, Sweden. The treaty marked a key moment in the shifting balance of power in Eastern-European. Although it resulted in Augustus being reinstated to the throne there were several clauses that greatly favoured Russia and fostered the nation's powerful rise. Augustus was beholden to tackle enemies of Russia within Poland; in addition, Russia was able to hold onto previously lost territories and the highest offices in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were occupied by nobles supportive of the Tsar. , This medal was struck in 1709 to commemorative Augustus' return to the Polish throne. An act of propagandistic power for a figure now of somewhat diminished influence. Further, the commissioning of such a medal is evidence of Augustus' well-regarded patronage of the arts and architecture. , Dresden was the capital of his creative endeavours as he sought to transform it into a "Florence on the Elbe". He commissioned the construction of Zwinger Palace, regarded for its renowned baroque style designed by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. He also commissioned Dresden's cathedral and the reconstruction of the Japanese Palace to house his vast porcelain collection. Augustus was fanatically devoted to porcelain, which Europeans called "white gold", and for many years he had been a great collector of Asian ceramics. He was later introduced to Johann Friedrich Böttger, a young alchemist, who claimed to be able to produce porcelain. After further experimentation and the royal patronage and investment of Augustus II the Meissen Porcelain factory was established in 1710. The factory was the first to successful produce European porcelain, ending dependence on Chinese imports, and to this day is a highly regarded name within the craft. , Most appropriately Dresden too is the birthplace of this medal, where it was brought into creative fruition by the court medallist Heinrich Paul Groskurt. Meissen, in a similar vain to this medallic issue, was used by Augustus to promote his image. One of the earliest models to be made by the factory was a figure of their patron, which shows him in a powerful stance wearing armour and a victorious laurel wreath. This piece was reproduced in both porcelain and stoneware in a range of colours. Further, within a year of the factory opening Augustus was using its wares as diplomatic gifts. The first of which was presented to Frederick IV of Denmark, one of Augustus' allies, in 1711. This was also a tradition carried on by his son, Augustus III, who in the 1730s sent Meissen gifts to England in an attempt to secure support in the War of the Polish Succession. Estimate: £30000 - £50000 |  |
