Commemorative issue struck in 1719 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Frederick Augustus II, later King of Poland Augustus III of Saxony, to Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria. These coins are among the most fascinating dynastic pieces, reflecting the ties between the Wettin and Habsburg families.
This example comes from an old collection, preserved together with its original collector’s envelope. Trace of a suspension mount on the edge, natural patina and reflective fields in parts give it an appealing appearance.
Obverse: two flaming hearts bound by a cord, pulled together by two hands at the sides.
Legend: INDISSOLVBILITER (“Indissolubly”).
Reverse: inscription in nine lines:
SIGNATIS PACT CONIVG INTER SER PRINC REG POL ET ELECT SAXON ET SER PRINC R HVNG BOH ET ARCHIDVC AVSTR VIENNAE A MDCCXIX
(“On the concluded marriage treaty between the most illustrious Polish Crown Prince and Elector of Saxony, and the most illustrious Hungarian, Bohemian Princess and Archduchess of Austria. Vienna 1719”).
Silver, diameter 46 mm, weight 28.87 g.
A highly attractive and historic piece marking the beginnings of the Saxon dynasty in Poland, sought after by collectors of dynastic and Habsburg-related medals.
Edward Raczyński writes about this piece as follows:
"The journey of the Polish Crown Prince, son of Augustus II, through foreign lands, which we mentioned in the above article (No. 334), had a favorable influence on his future domestic happiness. The prince spent several months in Vienna, and having met there Archduchess Josepha, he proposed to her and received her hand from her father, Emperor Charles VI. (a) This union, born of mutual affection, was concluded in Vienna on August 20th, 1719. (b)
Maria Josepha, together with her husband, ascended the Polish throne in 1733, and throughout her life distinguished herself by social virtues, piety, and devoted care for the upbringing of her numerous children.
If we judge impartially the conduct of our queens since the 15th century, we must admit that the Austrians, of whom eight (c) sat on the Polish throne, distinguished themselves above others by their domestic virtues.
Princess Maria Josepha was received with great splendor by King Augustus II when she arrived with her husband from Vienna to Dresden. Among other things, the chroniclers of the Saxon court mention the festivities which the seven planets organized for the princess on that occasion. On September 10th, 1719, the Sun invited her to an illumination and fireworks display. On September 12th, Mars hosted tournaments and jousts representing the battles of the Abencerages and Zegris in Granada. A few days later, Mercury organized a lottery at which all nations presented their most precious treasures. Then Saturn, in underground caves among the rarest ores, welcomed the newlyweds. Nor did Venus forget what was owed to the noble couple, etc., etc."
