Russia Bronze Medal 1829 – Complete rout of two Turkish army corps – Nicholas I (1825–1855)

129.80g. 65mm. AU/AU. Corrosion spots. 

Medaliers: A. Klepikov (obverse), A. Lyalin (reverse, РѢЗАЛЪ А. ЛЯЛИНЪ) from a model by Count Fyodor Tolstoy (СЪ МОДЕЛИ ГРАФА ѲЕОДОРА ТОЛСТАГО). 

Diakov 1789 Ae - R1. 

Obv.: Double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, crowned with three imperial crowns. On its chest, a shield with Saint George slaying the dragon, encircled by the Order of St. Andrew. The eagle holds a sceptre in its right talon and an orb in its left. A continuous laurel wreath surrounds the entire composition. 

Below the truncation: 

Р . А . КЛЕПИКОВЪ 1837 

(Engraved by A. Klepikov, 1837). 

Rev.: Russian warrior in helmet, mail, and cuirass with a double-headed eagle on his chest, seizes a crescent-and-star banner from a kneeling Turk with his left hand. With his right, he raises a sword to strike another Turkish warrior crouching with shield and yatagan. Around them lie banners, weapons, and the body of a fallen ally in the background. 

Inscription around: 

СОВЕРШЕННОЕ РАЗБИТIЕ ДВУХЪ КОРПУСОВЪ ТУРЕЦКОИ АРМIИ 

(Complete rout of two Turkish army corps). 

Below the truncation: 

СЪ МОДЕЛИ ГРАФА ѲЕОДОРА ТОЛСТАГО. / РѢЗАЛЪ А. ЛЯЛИНЪ. 1839. / 1829. 

(From a model by Count Fyodor Tolstoy / Engraved by A. Lyalin. 1839. / 1829.) 

This medal commemorates the decisive defeat of two Turkish corps by Russian forces in 1829, during the final stage of the Russo-Turkish War. The detailed and expressive composition glorifies Russian military triumph through a powerful neoclassical allegory.