Courland Tin-Alloy Medal 1750 - Monument of Maurice de Saxe (1696-1750)

41.82g. 56mm. AU/AU. 

Medalier: C. E. Müller. 

Hutten-Czapski 2714; Merseburger 4549. 

Obv.: Bust of Maurice de Saxe left, in cuirass. 

Inscription around: 

MAURIT • SAXO • GALL • MARESC • GEN • D • CURL • ET • SEM • 

(Maurice of Saxony, Marshal of France, General, Duke of Courland and Semigallia). 

Rev.: Monumental cenotaph of Maurice de Saxe in the Church of St. Thomas, Strasbourg; the standing figure of the marshal atop the tomb, mourners and trophies around, Gothic architectural setting. 

Inscription around: 

MAURITIO SAXON / CURL ET SEMICAL / DUCL SURE EXERC PL / SEMPER VICTORI / LUDOVICUS XV / VICTORIA AUCTOR / ET IPSE DUX FTONUSIST / CAMBORDI XXX NOV / MDCCL AETATIS LV. 

(To Maurice of Saxony, Duke of Courland and Semigallia, commander of armies, always victorious; Louis XV, the giver of victory; he himself laid him to rest at Chambord, 30 November 1750, aged 55). 

Maurice de Saxe (1696-1750), illegitimate son of Augustus III of Poland, served as Duke of Courland and Semigallia (modern Latvia) and became one of the most distinguished military commanders of the 18th century. As Marshal of France under Louis XV he achieved several decisive victories during the War of the Austrian Succession. After his death in 1750, a monumental tomb was erected in the Church of St. Thomas in Strasbourg, which provided the direct model for this medal engraved by C. E. Müller.