Russia Bronze Prize Medal ND (1870s) - Imperial Moscow Society of Agriculture - Alexander II (1855-1881)

52.39g. 49mm. XF/XF. Square-shaped surface damage on reverse. 

St. Petersburg mint. 

Medalier: V. S. Baranov (КОП. В.БАР. on obverse in truncation). 

Diakov - unpublished, 435 (for prototype). 

Obv.: Laureate portrait of Emperor Alexander II facing left within laurel and oak wreath tied with a ribbon below. 

Rev.: Five-line inscription within a wreath of grain stalks tied below with a ribbon; above, Latin motto. 

Inscription: 

BENE MERUIT DE PATRIA / БЛАГОДАРНОЕ / ИМПЕРАТОРСКОЕ / МОСКОВСКОЕ / ОБЩЕСТВО / СЕЛЬСК : ХОЗЯЙСТВА

(He has well deserved of the Fatherland. / The grateful Imperial Moscow Society of Agriculture). 

The Imperial Moscow Society of Agriculture, founded in 1820, played a central role in promoting agronomic science, experimental farming, and the dissemination of modern agricultural practices across the Russian Empire. During the reign of Alexander II the Society became particularly active, issuing awards to individuals who contributed to innovations in agricultural production, land management, and applied rural sciences. Medals like this one were granted as a formal expression of recognition from one of the Empire’s most influential learned societies.