"To the victor of the Tartars and rebels, to the highest, brightest and most powerful John Casimir..."
These words, placed on the reverse of this rare medal, are a reference to one of the greatest land battles of 17th-century Europe. The battle that took place in 1651 at Beresteczko. A battle of Polish troops under the command of Jan Kazimierz, who smashed the more numerous Tatar-Cossack forces. The battle is beautifully described in Raczynski's Medal Cabinet.
Medal of unknown author, made on the initiative of Polish deputies present at Beresteczko.
A rare memento of a valuable victory for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Ex. WCN 45 (item 823, year 2011).
Silver, diameter 30 mm, weight 4.20 g.
Obverse: inside a laurel wreath decorated with four crowns (interpreted as crowns of John Casimir as king of Poles, Swedes, Goths and Vandals) inscription: HOC NEXV 1651.Reverse: inscription: VICTORI SCYTAR & REBEL AUGUSTO SERENIS & POTENTIS JOANNI CASIMIRO D G POLONIAE REGI M D L TUM ET SUEC GOTH VAND HAERED REGI D D.