Russia Silver Medal 1914 - To the Heroic and Noble Belgian Nation - Nicholas II (1894–1917)

19.00g. 33mm. AU/AU. Beautiful exemplar. 

Workshop of A. Jacquart, Petrograd. 

Medalier: G. Malyshev (engraver, based on design by the workshop of A. Jacquart, signed A. ЖАКАРЪ below the obverse). 

Diakov 1581.1 Ar (R1). 

Scarce. 

Obv.: Lion trampling a fallen German standard; to the left, a shield with French motto. 

Inscription around: 

ВЪ ЕДИНЕНIИ СИЛА 

(In unity there is strength). 

Inscription on shield: 

L’UNION / FAIT / LA / FORCE 

(Unity makes strength). 

Rev.: Ten-line French and Russian dedication within plain field. 

Inscription: 

A / L’HÉROIQUE ET / NOBLE NATION BELGE / HOMMAGE DE / SES ADMIRATEURS RUSSES / 

ГЕРОЙСКОМУ И БЛАГОРОДНОМУ / БЕЛГIЙСКОМУ НАРОДУ / ДАНЬ ВОСХИЩЕНIЯ / РУССКИХЪ ЛЮДЕЙ / 1914 Г. 

(To the heroic and noble Belgian nation - a tribute of admiration from the Russian people - 1914).  

This medal was issued in Petrograd in 1914 as part of a special series commissioned by the Russian Numismatic Society to honor allied armies and nations during World War I. Belgium’s defense against the German invasion was widely admired in the Russian Empire, and this piece reflects the political solidarity and public sympathy expressed toward the Belgian people at the outbreak of the war. Produced in the workshop of A. Jacquart, with engraving design by G. Malyshev, it remains one of the more sought-after medals of the early-war patriotic series.