POLAND. Gold Medallic 12 Ducats, ND (1673). John Sobieski. PCGS Genuine--Mount Removed, AU Details. Raczynski-185. Weight: 41.32 gms. Obverse: Bareheaded and armored and mantled bust of John Sobieski facing, head slightly right; Reverse: Laurel wreath tied by a ribbon, inscription in 14 lines below. Though undated, this medal can be traced with some precision, as it almost certainly relates to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealths victory against Ottoman forces at the Battle of Khotyn in 1673. This battle served as a major milestone for the Commonwealth, reversing several prior defeats. The inscription on the back harkens to the first battle of Khotyn in 1621, another victory for the Commonwealth, and that legacy being defended by John Sobieski with his victory. Michal Korybut had put Sobieski in charge of his army to face the Ottomans after he fell ill, and his death the day before the Polish victory at Khotyn paved the way for Sobieski to be elected the next king. <p>This medal, in addition to being struck on a massive planchet, was produced in extremely high relief, with the obverse portraiture quite literally popping off the flan. Wear is mostly confined to the face of Sobieski, with no destruction of the reverse inscription nor the royal adornments that are so carefully engraved. The noted mount removal is not visible in the PCGS holder, though it appears to be at 12 oclock. When one holds this Medal in hand, the heft of history can be felt, even beyond the heft of the gold. From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection.
