CENTENARY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION: JOHN GEORGE I, ELECTOR OF SAXONY

DADLER, Sebastian: Germany, 1630, Silver, 56 mm
Obv: Half-length bust of John George I, with a sword; inscription separated with four coats of arms    VERBVM DOMINI MANET IN AETERNVM DEN 25 IVNY ANNO 1530
Rev: Legend:  IOHANNS CHVRFVRST ZV SACHSSEN THVT, BEKENNEN FREY AVS HELDEN MVTH: DAS DIE LEHR SO ER VBERGEBEN, SEY DIE RICHT SCHNVR ZVM EWIGEN LEBENN. DEN 25. IVNY AO. 1630.
Signed:  S. D.
Ref: Wiecek 56; Tentzel 46.4; Merseburger 1053; Schnell 72; Whiting 119; Gopel 188; Internat. Med. Exhib. Am. Numis. Soc. NY, 1910, No. 836;   Europese Penningen # 1071

This medal is similar to Wiecek 55 with the major exception being the spelling of "LEBENN".
This medal was struck for the Saxon Elector John George I (1585-1656; elector from 1615 to 1656) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession. The Augsburg Confession was the most important Protestant statement of belief written at the time of the Reformation. It was presented to the emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg, on June 25, 1530. It was compiled by Melanchthon, based on articles previously drawn up by Martin Luther and has become the classical statement of Lutheran doctrine. John George I was a Lutheran who aligned himself with Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden when Count Tilly and his imperial troops began to ravage Saxony. In 1631 he fought alongside Gustavus Adolphus at the Battle of Breitenfeld against Tilly's imperial forces. Although the Saxon troops were routed, Gustavus was victorious.

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