A SILVER MEDAL FOR BRAVERY IN FINNISH WATERS

CIRCA 1789

Details

A SILVER MEDAL FOR BRAVERY IN FINNISH WATERS
CIRCA 1789
Circular, one side struck with the bust of Empress Catherine the Great facing right surrounded by the Russian inscription: 'By the Grace of God Catherine II Empress and Autocrat of all Russias.', the reverse decorated with the Russian inscription 'For Bravery on Finnish Waters 13 August 1789', marked with the signature of the engraver 'T. Ivanov' under the bust of the Empress
1½ in. (3.8 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

The medal was established during the reign of Catherine II to commemorate the naval battle against the Swedish Army outside Svenskssund (Ruotsinslami) in the Gulf of Finland, which took place on the 13 August 1789 and the second battle at the river Kumen which followed immediately.
The medal was awarded to petty officers and sailors who participated in these two battles.
For a similar medal, see Prince Dimitri Romanov, The Orders, Medals and History of Imperial Russia, Copenhagen, 2000, pp. 94-95.

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