SWITZERLAND. Schwyz. Medal 1734 (Tin, 53 mm, 67.63 g, 12 h), Schwyzermedaille on the Battle of Morgarten in 1315. By J. C. Hedlinger. FVNDAMENTVM LIBERTATIS HELVETICAE Rampant lion standing on arms, holding capped sword and shield with wreath. Rev. SVITII / PAGIQ FOEDERATI / CONIVNCTIM NVMERO 1300• / EXERCITVM 20000•ARMATOR• / QVEM LEPOLDVS AVSTRIACVS / OMNEM PERNICIEM MINITANS / IN EOS IMPLACABILIS DVXERAT / ADORTI PROFLIGARVNT / APVD MORGARTEN A•1315• / CVIVS REI MONVMENT• / PATRIAE DVLCI DICAT / I•C•HEDLINGER / A•1734• in 13 lines. SM 101 var. (in silver). Wunderly 1794 var. (in silver). Tiny marks and edge nicks, otherwise, extremely fine.


The Battle of Morgarten, fought on 15 November 1315, was a significant early victory for the Swiss Confederation. In this battle, a small force of Swiss peasants and militia, led by the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, decisively defeated an invading army of the Austrian Habsburgs. The Habsburgs, who sought to extend their influence over the region, were ambushed near the Morgarten pass, where the Swiss fighters, using their knowledge of the terrain, overwhelmed the heavily armored Austrian knights. The victory solidified the Swiss Confederation’s independence and marked a pivotal moment in the formation of modern Switzerland.