Russia (Brussels mint) Bronze (Silvered) Medal 1858 – Consecration of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg – Alexander II (1855–1881)

98.01g. 60mm. AU/AU. 

Medalier: Jacques Wiener (on both sides: JACQUES WIENER F.). 

Diakov 677.4 Ae - R1.

The medal was silvered to enhance its appearance — a common historical practice intended to improve visual qualities by applying a silver or gold coating. It was also subtly darkened (patinated) to accentuate the finer details of the design. 

Obv.: Detailed elevation of the façade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Inscription around:

СОБОРЪ СВ ИСААКIЯ ДАЛМАТСКАГО ВЪ С . ПЕТЕРБУРГѢ

(Cathedral of St. Isaac of Dalmatia in St. Petersburg).

Below the image:

EGLISE ST ISAAC A ST PETERSBURG | BATIE PAR PIERRE LE GRAND 1717 – 1727 . | INCENDIEE 1735 . POSE DE LA 1e PIERRE | DE L‘EGLISE ACTUELLE | PAR ALEXANDRE I 1819 . | CONSACREE PAR ALEXANDRE II | 1858 . | JACQUES WIENER F. – R DE MONFERRAND ARCH.

(St. Isaac’s Church in St. Petersburg | Built by Peter the Great 1717–1727 | Burned 1735 | First stone of the current church laid by Alexander I 1819 | Consecrated by Alexander II 1858 | Jacques Wiener F. – Architect: R. de Montferrand).

Rev.: Interior view of the richly decorated St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

Below the image:

J. WIENER F. 1858

This medal was issued as part of a renowned series dedicated to the cathedrals of Europe, engraved by Jacques Wiener. Out of the 50 medals planned, 41 were released between 1848 and 1865. 

The medal commemorates the consecration of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg in 1858, one of the most significant ecclesiastical constructions of the Russian Empire. The design combines an architectural elevation of the cathedral's façade with a detailed view of its lavish interior.