|
DEATH OF GUSTAVUS II ADOLPHUS
DADLER, Sebastian: Sweden , 1634, Silver, 79 mm
Obv: The body of the deceased king Gustavus Adolphus lying in state on
battlefield. Above, Two angels carrying the king's soul to heaven. At the
top: The Hebrew word "Jehovah" in a radiant halo. On the sides:
Clouds with numerous angels among them. Between the clouds, on the road on
which the king's soul is carried, an inscription: EUGE SERVE FIDELIS (Well
Done Faithful Servant). In the background, to the right: Troops leaving a
battlefield. Above them, a cupid with a sword and a banner with an
inscription: VEL MORTUM FUGIUNT (Even They Flee Death). Around:
GUSTAVUS
ADOLPHUS MAGNUS DEI GRATIA SUECOR:[um] GOTHOR:[um] ET
VANDALOR:[umque] REX
AUGUSTUS.
Exergue: NATUS 9 DEC:[embris] ANNO 1594 GLORIOSE MORTUUS 6
NOU:[embris] AN[n]O 1632.
Rev: Gustavus in a chariot pulled by three horses. The speeding chariot
crushes a monster with multiple heads. At the top, to the right, two
allegorical figures, Power and Faith, crowning the king's head with laurels.
Above, ET VITA ET MORTE TRIUMPHO. Around: DUX GLORIOS[us]
PRINC[eps] PIUS
HEROS INVICT[us] VICTOR INCOMPARAB[ilis] TRIUMPH[ator] FELIX &
GERM[aniae] LIBERATOR A[nno] 1634.
Signed: SD on the reverse on the chariot's wheel.
Ref: Wiecek 89; Hildebrand 188; Bruun 17403; Europese Penningen #
2166; Domanig II, 328 (where he
didn't notice the signature and describes the medal as not signed).
This extremely rare medal was ordered from Dadler in
Gdansk, supposedly by the Swedish court, to commemorate the second
anniversary of the king's death following his victory at the Battle of
Lutzen.
HOME
PAGE |