Russia (Netherlands) Bronze Medal 1696 (18th - early 19th century) – In memory of the capture of Azov, 18 July 1696 – Peter I the Great (1682–1725)

36.05g. 48mm. UNC/UNC. 

Medalier: Jan Boskam (on obverse, I • BOSKAM • F, below the shoulder). 

Diakov 5.7. R5 for Argent. 

Exceptionally rare. A silver example of the same type was sold on April 11, 2020, at "Monety i Medali" Auction No. 129 for €15,482. 

Obv.: Laureate bust of Peter I in antique armor and a fur-lined cloak, facing right. 

Inscription around: 

PETRVS • ALEXII • FIL • RVSSOR • MAG • CAESAR • 

(Peter, son of Alexis, Great Caesar of the Russians). 

Rev.: An allegorical image symbolizing Russia’s victory over the Turks as the triumph of Christianity over Islam: winged Victory, holding a palm branch in one hand and a cross in the other, tramples an overturned crescent and captured Turkish trophies. 

Inscription around:

HISCE • AXENVS FIAT • EVXINVS

(May the hostile Black Sea become hospitable to them).

Below the truncation:

TAN : EXP • XXVIII • IVL • MDCXCVI

(Azov taken on 28 July 1696 – note: the correct date is 18 July).

The medal commemorating the capture of Azov by Russian forces on 18 July 1696, crafted by Jan Boccam, is a remarkable and rare example of Russian medallic art from the late 17th to early 18th century. 

The obverse features a bust of the young Peter the Great facing right, adorned with a laurel wreath, dressed in antique armor and a mantle. This portrait type is unique and does not appear on any other known medals. It was once believed to be based on a portrait by Mattheus Wulf, but thorough research by specialists has not confirmed the existence of such an artist. Peter valued Boccam’s medal so highly that he commissioned an etching by Adriaen Schoonebeek reproducing the reverse composition. On the reverse below the allegory, in the exergue, is the inscription: “Azov taken on 28 July 1696” (note: dates on medals do not always match the exact historical events). Peter commissioned this medal in the Netherlands during his participation in the Grand Embassy of 1697–1698.

The medal was intended for diplomatic purposes, serving as a tool to promote Russia’s military success. As a result, most specimens were distributed abroad, and only a few found their way back to Russia. The dies remained in the Netherlands.