Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Saint George Saint Protector Medal
聖喬治守護聖人獎章
Item number: M320
Year: AD 1645-1690
Material: Gold
Size: 21.6 x 21.6 mm
Weight: 3.57 g
Manufactured by: Kremnica Mint, Slovakia
Provenance: Stack’s Bowers 2024
This is a Saint Protector Medal minted between AD 1645 and AD 1690, circulated in the Hungarian region. It was produced by the Kremnica Mint, located in present-day Slovakia, one of Central Europe’s oldest mints, which began operations in AD 1328 and continues to function today.
The obverse of this Saint Protector medal depicts the well-known Christian legend of “Saint George and the Dragon,” a symbol widely circulated in Central and Eastern Europe. The Latin inscription along the upper edge reads, “S.GEORGIVS.EQUITUM.PATRONVS” (Saint George, Patron of Knights).
According to legend, a dragon terrorised a village by occupying its water source, demanding a daily sacrifice of either a sheep or a maiden chosen by lot. When the lot fell upon the princess, Saint George happened upon the scene and, under the protection of the cross, heroically slew the dragon on horseback, saving the princess and the village. Since then, Saint George has come to embody the ideals of knightly virtue and courage.
The reverse of this medal powerfully illustrates a scene of resilience and faith, depicting a figure struggling to control a sail amidst fierce winds and towering waves. The Latin inscription along the top edge, “IN TEMPESTATE SECVRITAS” (Safety in the Storm), underscores a sense of divine assurance amidst life’s adversities.
In AD 1526, the Kingdom of Hungary fell under the weight of the Ottoman Empire’s invasion, leading to the division of its territory into three parts: Ottoman-controlled regions, Habsburg-ruled Hungary, and the Principality of Transylvania. Over time, the Austrian Habsburgs became the dominant power in Hungary, but the Hungarian (Magyar) nobility retained a significant degree of autonomy and periodically resisted Habsburg control from Vienna. This tension culminated in AD 1867 when the Habsburgs and the Magyar nobility reached an agreement, establishing the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy. This arrangement allowed Hungary a degree of independence while remaining under Habsburg rule, and it lasted until the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed following its defeat in World War I in AD 1918.