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.