POLAND Sigismund III Vasa (1587-1632). Gold medal in the module of 5 ducats, opening of the Bromberg (Bydgoszcz) mint in 1596 by the mint master Hermann Rüdiger, by Rudolph Lehmann 1596, Bromberg (Bydgoszcz) or Fraustadt (Wschowa). Av. HERMAN. RVDIGER. K. M. IN. GR. PO. M. HER. (Hermann Rüdiger Master of the Mint of his Royal Majesty and Great Poland). Bust right in fur coat, with large pleated collar; signature *RL* in monogram. Rv. *HIC* EST* FILIVS* - *MEVS* DILECTVS*. Beneath a radiant dove, the baptism of Christ in the Jordan by Saint John the Baptist, nimbed and holding a long cross; in the exergue (date). Kundmann, Silesii in Nvmmis (Breslau and Leipzig 1738) pp.237-238 and pl.XX - B. Kirmis, Münzgeschichte der stadt Fraustadt (Berlin 1885) p.213 "medal, today unknown...". - Forrer III p.379 ; Gold - 16 g - 35 mm - 12 h Top Pop: this is the only graded example! NGC AT 58 (6516012-001). Fine strike, centred, barely treflé. Realistic portrait of the master Rüdiger. Two scratches on the right. Regular wear with a golden patina. Unique and of museum interest! Superb. In 1595, Hermann Rüdiger became Master of the Posen Mint, then of the Bromberg Mint and finally of his home town of Fraustadt. The present medal was known to ancient authors but had not been found previously (cf. Colonna-Walewski, Beiträge zur Geschichte der polnischen Münzstätten 1588-1624, in: Zeitschrift für Numismatik 12, 1885, p.213). Max Kirmis (Münzgeschichte der Stadt Fraustadt, 1885, p.14), rejects the attribution to Posen and assumes that it was minted in Rüdiger's home town of Fraustadt. Rüdiger also took over the Bromberg mint in 1596, which suggests that it was minted in Fraustadt or in commemoration of the opening of the Bromberg mint. * Following Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of April 5, 2022, implemented in national law from 01/01/2025, buyers from within the EU have to pay 5.5% VAT on the hammer price of this lot. * Following Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of April 5, 2022, implemented in national law from 01/01/2025, buyers from within the EU have to pay 5.5% VAT on the hammer price of this lot.