August III gold "White Eagle Award" Medal of 24 Ducats 1759 MS62 Prooflike NGC, Raczynski-403 (1750), HCz-7844 (R5; 1754), Bentkowski-579 (1761). 52mm. 83.34gm. By Wermuth. An award that presents an air of prestige, not least for its impressive reliefs rendered in an exquisitely detailed yet austere style. Produced in the impressive weight of 24 to 25 ducats, award medals such as this were only distributed once a year during a ceremony held on the King's name day (August 3rd), with the Order of the White Eagle itself being the highest Order in Poland from 1705 to the present day, bestowed upon only the most distinguished subjects and the highest-ranking representatives of foreign nations. While medals of the same design in silver were produced as prizes for the shooting competitions held during such festivities, it is with the gold pieces that we can truly begin to speak of extreme rarity. According to the most recent listing of an example, specimens from 1738, 1754, 1758, and 1759 have been recorded, along with a 1748 featuring a slightly different portrait of the King. What is more, the 1754 is unavailable to collectors, residing in the Hutten-Czapski Collection in Krakow. All records suggest that this is the first time this award from 1759 has appeared at auction in at least the past 20 years. While mild abrasions do exist in the fields, in-line with both its designation and the natural weight of the piece (this feature is also present on the other examples we have consulted), the preservation can otherwise be regarded as admirable--the surfaces entirely alight with a Prooflike shimmer. Perhaps of even finer preservation than the handful of other representatives that have appeared at auction, making this a thoroughly unique opportunity by all counts.

HID09801242017

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