A striking medal with a rising high relief portrait of King John III Sobieski.
The medal commemorates Hevelius' discovery of the constellation of stars, which was namedSobieski's Shield(Scutum Sobiescanium) in honor of the king. It also recalls his heroic deeds (the victory achieved at Chocim).
Beautiful workmanship by Jan Höhn junior from the late 17th century (signed IH at the bottom of the reverse).
Nice state of preservation.
Very rare in the trade type.
Silver, diameter 49 mm, weight 47.52 g
Obverse: bust in laurel wreath facing right. In the rim: IOAN III REX POLON.
Reverse: panorama of the siege of Chocim and the troops storming it. At the bottom: the Dniester River and a palm-olive branch, at the top: the shield of the Sobieski family (with stars on it) between two clouds. In the rim: INGENTIBUS AUSIS QVO VIS MONSTRAT ITER (to immeasurable endeavors where thou wilt show the way).