10 Zloty Poland / Second Polish Republic (1918 - 1939) Silver Joh ...

1933, Poland (2nd Rep.). Silver 10 Zlotych “John III Sobieski” Coin. Cleaned AU+

Mint Year: 1933 Reference: KM-23. Mintage: 300,000 pcs. Mint Place: Warsaw Mint Condition: Lightly wiped/cleaned in the past, otherwise a nice AU+ Denomination: 10 Zlotych - John  III Sobiski & his Victory at the Battle of Vienna during 1683 against the Ottoman Empire, which besieged the city. Material: Silver (.750) Weight: 21.81gm Diameter: 34mm

Obverse: Bust of Jan III Sobieski right: Lgend: JAN III SOBIESKI / 1683-1933

Reverse: Crowned white eagle surrounded by light. Legend around, date and denomination below. Legend: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA / 10 ZLOTYCH 10

Sobieski’s greatest success came in 1683 with his victory at the Battle of Vienna, in joint command of Polish, Austrian and German troops, against the invading Turks under Kara Mustafa. Upon reaching Vienna, Sobieski had planned to attack on 13 September, but with the Turkish close to breaching the walls he ordered a full attack on 12 September. At 04:00 the united army of about 81,000 men attacked a Turkish force of about 130,000 men. At about five o’clock in the afternoon, after observing the infantry battle from the hilltop, Sobieski led Polish husaria cavalry along with Austrians and Germans into a massive charge down the hillside. Soon, the Turkish battle line was broken and the Ottoman forces scattered in confusion. At 17:30 Sobieski entered the deserted tent of Kara Mustafa and the battle of Vienna ended. The Pope and other foreign dignitaries hailed Sobieski as the “Savior of Vienna and Western European civilization.” In a letter to his wife he wrote, "All the common people kissed my hands, my feet, my clothes; others only touched me, saying: ‘Ah, let us kiss so valiant a hand!’"

John III Sobieski (Polish: Jan III Sobieski, Lithuanian: Jonas Sobieskis) (17 August 1629 – 17 June 1696) was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski’s 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth’s stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and Khmelnytsky Uprising. Popular among his subjects, he was an able military commander, most famous for the victory over the Turks in the 1683 Battle of Vienna. Following his victories over the Ottoman Empire, he was called by the Turks the “Lion of Lechistan” and held as the saviour of European Christendom by the pope.