One of the first, or more precisely the second Polish decoration established by August III and awarded on the king's name day (August 3) starting in 1738.
An award medal, given for meritorious service to the welfare of the country, as proclaimed by the inscription on the reverse "DE REGE ET REPUBLICA BENE MERERENTIBUS" ("to those well deserving the King and the Republic").
Minted annually (with the current year of award) on the feast day of the Order of the White Eagle.
The present piece is a vintage falling during some of the last months of the reign of Augustus III.
Late, slender portrait of the king in scaled armor, with a cloak imposed over it.
Medal by Wermuth (signed WERMUTH.F. under the portrait).
Spotty pitting on the reverse, otherwise nice.
Obverse: Bust of the king with the Order of the Golden Fleece to the right, in the rim the legend:
AUGUSTUS III D G REX POLONIARUM, on the base of the bust signature WERMUT. H. F.
Reverse: table with Order of the White Eagle, above it legend:
DE REGE ET REPUBLICA BENE MERENTIBUS, in section the date MDCCLIIII / 3 AUG.
Silver, diameter 52.9 mm, weight 58.4 g.
