Russia Bronze (Silvered) Prize Medal ND (Novodel after 1807) – Medal of the Moscow Institute of the Order of St. Catherine for Academic Excellence – Alexander I (1801–1825)

112.97g. 67mm. AU/AU. 

Medalier: Carl Leberecht (on obverse and reverse: CARL LEBERCHT F.). 

Diakov - unpublished variety, similar (321.1, but medalier is Carl Leberecht). 

Extremely rare; no auction records are known for this particular variety of the medal. 

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.: Profile bust of Emperor Alexander I in the uniform of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, facing right, with an order sash across his right shoulder.

Inscription around:

Б. М. АЛЕКСАНДРЪ I. ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС.

(By the grace of God, Alexander I, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia).

Rev.: Eight fruitful grapevines growing from the ground, symbolizing Christian virtue and knowledge, illuminated by the sun.

Inscription in field:

ПОСЕТИ ВИНОГРАДЪ СЕЙ

(Visit this vineyard).

Below the scene:

ЗА ОТЛИЧНОСТЬ | 180

(For Excellence | 180).

This medal was awarded to noble maidens of the Moscow School of the Order of St. Catherine (also known as the Moscow Catherine Institute), one of the imperial educational institutions for daughters of hereditary nobility. Founded in 1802, the school was housed in the former Soldiers’ Home for impoverished staff and subaltern officers of the Russian army, originally the suburban estate of Count V. S. Saltykov, located on Catherine Square in Moscow. 

The reverse inscription, «ПОСѢТИ ВИНОГРАДЪ СЕЙ», is a quotation from the Psalter in Church Slavonic, translated as:

"God of hosts, turn again, look down from heaven and visit this vine!" (Psalm 80:14).