Russia (Prussia, Berlin) Bronze (Silvered) Medal 1829 – Battle of Shumla – Nicholas I (1825–1855).

37.43g. 39mm. AU/AU.

Loos private workshop.  

Medalier: G. Loos (on obverse, G . LOOS DIR . below the bust).

Diakov 486.1. 

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.: Right-facing laureate bust of Emperor Nicholas I within a circular inscription; below the truncation — signature of the director G. Loos.

Inscription around:

NICOLAUS I TOTIUS RUSSIAE IMPERATOR

(Nicholas I, Emperor of All Russia)

Rev.: Ten-line inscription enclosed within a laurel wreath.

Inscription in field:

AVSPIC . | AVGVSTISS . | ET DVCTV | COM . DE DIEBITSCH | TVRC . FEROX EXERC . | SVB PRIMO VISIR . | CONCISVS | APVD SCHVMLAM | D . XXX. MAI . ST . V . | MDCCCXXIX

(By the supreme leadership and command of Count Diebitsch, the fierce Turkish army under the Grand Vizier was crushed near Shumla. 30 May O.S. 1829)

The Battle of Shumla was one of the key engagements of the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829. Under the command of Count Hans Karl von Diebitsch, Russian forces decisively defeated the Ottoman army near the fortified city of Shumla (now Shumen, Bulgaria), weakening Turkish resistance and contributing to the eventual peace treaty of Adrianople later that year.