British and World Coins, Historical Medals

HEITERSHEIM, Johann Baptist von Sonnenberg-Herlesheim, 1755, a silver medal, signed ih hh [?], armoured and draped bust right, rev. crowned and draped arms, 41mm, 35.23g/12h (Schembri p.231, 8). Cleaned, otherwise about extremely fine, extremely rare £1,000-£1,200

Heitersheim was a principality in Western Germany owned by the Order of St John (Knights Hospitaller); it was the seat of the Grand Priors of the Order in Germany. Johann Baptist von Sonnenberg-Herlesheim (1701-73) was Grand Prior from 1755-73