Russian Medals - Lots 2216-2255
The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Part I
Russian Medals - Lots 2216-2255
A Special Offering
of Russian Medals
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2216 Catherine II Coronation medal, 1762. Gold. 2,677.3 grains; 64.0 mm. Proof-60. Bust of Empress wearing Imperial crown on obverse, reverse with allegorical figures of Russia and Religion burning incense at altar, figure of Providence on clouds above, holding the royal crown and scepter. A very rare and equally desirable medal from the reign of Catherine the Great.
2217 Alexander I Obituary medal. Issued on the occasion of the death of the czar, 1825. Gold. 2,545.4 grains; 68.6 mm. Proof-50. Numerous scratches are noted, particularly on the obverse. Designed by K.A. Klep. Obverse with laureate bust of Alexander I right, encircled by a serpent and dated 1825. The reverse depicts the all-seeing eye with date, 1812, below.
2218 Academy of Sciences Centennial medal, 1826. Silver. 2,121.6 grains; 64.9 mm. Proof-60. Blue and violet toning. Dated 1826, executed by Tolstoy. Bust of Nicholas I right, reverse with Athena enthroned crowning a statue of Janus with wreath. Date in Roman numerals, MDCCCXXVI, in exergue.
Count Feodor Petrovitch Tolstoy (1783-1873) was a self-taught sculptor and medallist who became interested in the fine arts after his discharge from the Russian Marines. His style was inspired by classical works of art. Later in life, he was professor of sculpture and medallic art, and was elected vice president of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.
2219 University Buildings commemorative medal, 1838. Silver. 1,705.3 grains; 62.0 mm. Proof-60. Crescent toning on the reverse. Bust of Nicholas I left, reverse with Minerva surrounded by a globe, telescope, and other items relating to education. On her thigh she supports a tablet with the dates 1724 and 1835.
2220 Nicholas I Obituary medal, 1855. Issued on the occasion of the death of the czar. Gold. 2,961.4 grains; 68.3 mm. Proof-62. Some abrasions in the fields and a rather large edge knock at 8:00 relative to the reverse. Dies by Lialan. Bust of czar to right, with the all-seeing eye above, emanating rays around. Reverse Orthodox cross with Turkish crescent below. Another important and beautiful medal.
Alexander Lialan (1799-1861) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. He was appointed engraver of the Mint in 1824. From 1851 until his death 10 years later, Lialan was Professor of medal-engraving at the Academy.
2221 Nicholas I Obituary medal, 1855. Copper. 2,215.8 grains; 68.4 mm. Proof-62. Struck from identical dies as the preceding.
2222 Nicholas I Obituary medal, 1856. Silver. 1,820.3 grains; 64.8 mm. Proof-63. Similar to the preceding though somewhat lighter in weight. A nicely toned specimen with an attractive overall appearance.
2223 Alexander II Coronation medal, 1856. Silver. 2,009.1 grains; 64.5 mm. Proof-62. A nicely toned specimen. Dies executed by Lialan. Reverse with the Imperial Russian two-headed eagle holding orb and scepter.
This is one of Lialan's best-known works.
2224 Isaac Cathedral completion medal, 1858. Gold. 2,628.5 grains; 65.4 mm. AU-58. Some nicks and abrasions, particularly on the reverse. Dies by Alexiev. Obverse with six medallions of emperors separated by laureate branches, reverse with the front view of the cathedral.
Basile Vladimirowitch Alexiev (or Alexieff) (1823-1881) received his education at the Technical Mining School of the Technological Institute at St. Petersburg. In 1845, he entered the mint as medallist-engraver. In 1871, Alexiev was appointed professor at the Russian Academy of Arts. The Dedication of the Isaac Cathedral medal is among his most famous works, another being the 100th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Order of St. George, another beautiful medal of which a silver example appears in an upcoming lot.
2225 Isaac Cathedral completion medal, 1858. Copper. 3,074.6 grains; 79.5 mm. Proof-63. Attractive chocolate brown surfaces. Similar to the preceding but larger in diameter and thickness.
2226 Isaac Cathedral completion medal, 1858. Copper. 3,295.3 grains; 79.5 mm. AU-55. Identical to the preceding, although not quite so well preserved.
2227 Nicholas I St. Petersburg Monument commemorative, 1859. Copper. 3,647.4 grains; 85.9 mm. Proof-64. Dies executed by Brusnitzin. Bust of Nicholas I to left with helmet topped by the Russian Imperial eagle. Reverse with equestrian monument.
Little is said of P.P. Brusnitzin in Forrer's Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, other than to note that he was professor of medallic engraving at the Academy of Arts at St. Petersburg, and that he passed away in 1871.
2228 Nicholas I St. Petersburg Monument commemorative, 1859. Copper. 3,574.6 grains; 86.0 mm. EF-40. Identical to the preceding, though harshly cleaned.
2229 Russia's 300th Anniversary Monument commemorative medal, 1862. Copper. 3,592.5 grains; 86.9 mm. Proof-63. Bust of Alexander II on obverse, reverse with monument.
2230 Academy of Arts Centennial medal, 1864. Silver. 3,920.5 grains; 87.1 mm. Proof-63. Obverse with small bust of Alexander II surrounded by inscription and laurel wreath. Reverse with three muses seated at the base of the statue of Catherine the Great.
2231 Pair of copper medals, both dated 1865: I Busts of Catherine II and Alexander II on separate medalets on the obverse, reverse with beehive motif. 45mm. Proof-62 I Medal of Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovitch. Reverse with tomb and all-seeing eye. 35 mm. Proof-55. (Total: 2 pieces)
2232 Centennial of the Order of St. George commemorative medal, 1869. Silver. 2,542.9 grains; 71 mm. Proof-65. Lovely delicate lavender toning. Dies by Alexiev. Jugate busts of Alexander II and Catherine II left, reverse with the Order of St. George. A truly beautiful medal.
2233 Peter I 200th Anniversary of Birth commemorative medal, 1872. 2,202.8 grains; 62.3 mm. Proof-60. Medium toning. Dies by Baranov. Bust of Peter I left, reverse with six-line inscription. Dual dates 1672-1872 appear.
W. Baranov (or Baranoff) was a medallist and coin engraver active during the second half of the 19th century who resided in St. Petersburg. He is best known for a number of commemorative medals made during, and relating to, the reign of Czar Alexander II.
2234 Pair of copper medals, both grading Proof-60: I Obverse with Catherine II right, reverse monument, date 1873 in exergue. 3,775.1 grains; 86.8 mm I Conjugate busts of Catherine II and Alexander II on obverse, reverse with building (institute) and date, 1873. 3,287.7 grains; 79.2 mm. (Total: 2 pieces)
2235 Academy of Sciences medal. Royal visit on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Academy, 1876. Silver. 572.5 grains; 42.3 mm. Proof-62. Lightly toned. Bust of Alexander II to right on obverse, dates 1826 and 1876 in conjoined wreaths, legends around on the reverse
2236 Academy of Sciences medal, 1876. Copper. 2,663.2 grains; 70.6 mm. Proof-60. Conjugate busts to right on obverse, reverse with figure of Athena seated, surrounded by books, telescope, globe, etc.
2237 Alexander I Centennial of Birth medal, 1877. Copper. 1,534.9 grains; 63.2 mm. Proof-60. Bust to right on obverse, reverse with five-line inscription and dual dates 1777-1877.
2238 50th Anniversary Technological Institute medal, 1878. Copper. 3,691.6 grains; 82.9 mm. Proof-61. Obverse with facing busts of Nicholas I and Alexander II and dual dates 1828 and 1878. Reverse with inscription.
2239 Alexander II Obituary medal, issued upon the occasion of the death of the czar, 1881. Heavy gilt, gold on bronze. 3,584.5 grains; 77.4 mm. Proof-62. A large medal, gilt, gold on bronze, with two test holes on the edge. Issued upon the death of Alexander II. Reverse is quite intricately done, depicting a kneeling female figure placing a wreath on the casket of the czar. Some faint museum inventory numbers can be seen in the fields on both sides. A lovely design overall.
2240 Alexander II Obituary medal, 1881. Copper. 3,166.5 grains; 77.9 mm. Proof-60. Same dies as the preceding.
2241 Alexander III medal, 1883. Silver. 1,235.0 grains; 51.3 mm. Proof-60. Busts of Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna right, reverse with Imperial double eagle.
2242 Completion of Our Savior Cathedral medal, 1883. Copper. 3,753.7 grains; 77.8 mm. Proof-60. Obverse with small medalets of Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, and Alexander III, reverse with view of the cathedral.
2243 Salvation of the Royal family in Borky medal. Copper. 5,185.5 grains; 89.4 mm. Proof-62. Minor edge knock at 4:00. Obverse with angel and kneeling figure. Train wreck in exergue on obverse, seven members of the Royal Family depicted on reverse. An ink note of some sort is in the obverse field at 12:00, probably a museum inventory number or notation. A beautiful and fascinating item.
2244 Nicholas II medal, 1896. Silver. 2,049.4 grains; 63.8 mm. MS-62. Busts of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna to left on obverse, reverse with Imperial Russian eagle. Rainbow toning.
2245 Pair of copper medals regarding the death of Alexander II in 1881, dated 1898: I 3,294.1 grains; 77.9 mm. Proof-55. Reverse legend includes Alexander III and Nicholas II and dates 1893 and 1898 respectively I A smaller version of the medal. 384 grains; 33.8 mm. AU-50. (Total: 2 pieces)
2246 Alexander I Centennial medal, 1902. Copper. 2,055.6 grains; 65.5 mm. AU-55. Nicholas II facing left and date, 1902, on obverse, reverse with Alexander I to right and date, 1802.
2247 Alexander I Centennial medal, 1902. Copper. 1,966.2 grains; 66.0 mm. EF-40. Similar to the preceding but harshly cleaned.
2248 Centennial of the War Ministry medal, 1902. Copper. 1,859.3 grains; 64.0 mm. AU-50. Busts of Alexander I and Nicholas II to left, reverse with seated figure of Athena and a youth with laurel wreath and sword.
2249 Medal with busts of the five czars from Alexander I to Nicholas II, 1902. Copper. 2,562.0 grains; 71.7 mm. EF-40, harshly cleaned. Reverse with Imperial eagle and dates 1802-1902.
2250 Alexander III St. Petersburg Monument commemorative, 1903. Copper. 3,042.2 grains; 77.1 mm. AU-50, harshly cleaned. Commemorates the monument to Alexander III, erected in St. Petersburg in 1903. Reverse with Nicholas II and date 1903.
2251 300th Anniversary of the Romanov family commemorative, 1913. Copper. 3,152.9 grains; 74.8 mm. AU-55. Obverse with busts of Michael Romanov and Nicholas II, three-quarters facing, dual dates 1613-1913 in exergue, reverse with the czar and his people.
2252 Three-piece lot of copper medals: I Naval medal in honor of Count A.G. Orlov. 4,536.2 grains; 94.2 mm. EF-40 I Count G.C. Orlov. 4,584.8 grains; 92.5 mm. AU-55. Reverse with mounted rider in foreground and Moscow skyline in the background, dated 1771 in exergue I A.S. Stroganov, Academy of Arts medal. 1,674.6 grains; 66.6 mm. Proof-60. (Total: 3 pieces)
2253 Pair of copper medals: I Large medal in honor of Count A.G. Orlov. 4,455.3 grains; 92.4 mm. MS-63. Identical to specimen in the last lot, but with superior definition on the reverse. I A.S. Stroganov Academy of Arts medal, 1807. 2,006.3 grains; 65.9 mm. AU-55. (Total: 2 pieces)
2254 Copper medal quartette, average grade EF-45: I 1903. 1,977.5 grains; 64.0 mm. Obverse with busts of Peter I and Nicholas II facing left, dates 1703-1903 on reverse with figure in clouds and Imperial Russian eagle I 1909. 1,996.6 grains; 63.9 mm. Facing busts of Alexander I and Nicholas II with dates 1809-1909 on obverse, reverse with female figure with Caduceus and laurel wreath honoring the Ministry of Finance I 1911. 3,139.0 grains; 76.9 mm. Medal with bust of Nicholas II, dated 1911 on the obverse, and with Alexander I and date 1811 on reverse. Harshly cleaned and badly stained I 1912. 338.0 grains; 33.8 mm. Medal of Alexander III, monument on reverse. (Total: 4 pieces)
2255 Three silver jetons honoring Count Stroganov. Undated (c. 1800). Obverse with Royal Arms, reverse with STROGANOV at center, crown above. 145.9 grains average. 31.7 mm average. Each EF-40 or so. (Total: 3 pieces)
