Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska in a Chariot [reverse] 1719

Ottone Hamerani created this metal coin depicting Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska sometime between 1694 and 1768. The coin immortalizes Maria Clementina Sobieska, a Polish princess whose arranged marriage to James Francis Edward Stuart, a claimant to the British throne, had significant political implications. Sobieska became a symbol of defiance against the British monarchy. Here, she rides in a chariot, an allegorical representation that elevates her status while underscoring the patriarchal expectations of women as symbols, rather than agents, of power. The choice of a chariot, often associated with Roman emperors or triumphant figures, frames Sobieska within a narrative of power and authority, yet it's a power derived from her dynastic connections and her role as a wife, not from her own agency. The Latin inscriptions and classical imagery serve to legitimize the Stuart claim to the British throne, using historical and cultural references to bolster their political ambitions. This coin is not just a portrait; it's a piece of political propaganda, carefully crafted to shape perceptions of power, legitimacy, and gender roles in the tumultuous landscape of 18th-century Europe.