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

99.72g. 65mm. AU/AU. 

Medaliers: A. Lyalin (on obverse, А • ЛЯЛИНЪ beneath the bust of Peter I), V. Alekseev (on reverse, В • АЛЕКСѢЕВЪ Р . above the exergue).

Diakov 677.2. This size is extremely rare in bronze. 

The medal was silvered to enhance its appearance — a common historical practice intended to improve visual qualities by applying a silver or gold coating. In this case, the surface was silvered over existing nicks and scratches. It was also subtly darkened (patinated) to accentuate the finer details of the design. 

Obv.: Central medallion with laureate bust of Peter I in cloak. Around it, five medallions separated by laurel and oak branches with stars, depicting Empress Catherine II and Emperors Paul I, Alexander I, Nicholas I, and Alexander II.

Rev.: South façade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

Inscription above:

ВОЗДАДИТЕ БОЖIѦ БОГОВИ А КЕСАРЕВА КЕСАРЕВИ • МАТВ • ГЛ КВ СТ • КА

(Render unto God the things that are God's, and unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Matthew 22:21).

Below the image:

ПЕРЕСТРОИКА СОБОРА НАЧАЛАСЬ ПРИ АЛЕКСАНДРѢ I ПРОДОЛЖАЛАСЬ ПРИ НИКОЛАѢ I

(The reconstruction of the cathedral began under Alexander I and continued under Nicholas I).

In exergue:

КОНЧИЛАСЬ ВЪ ЦАРСТВОВАНIE ГОСУДАРѦ АЛЕКСАНДРА II . ОСВѦЩЕНЪ СОБОРЪ ВО ИМѦ СВѦТ . ИСААКIѦ ДАЛМАТСКАГО 30 МАѦ 1858 Г .

(Completed in the reign of Emperor Alexander II. The cathedral was consecrated in the name of Saint Isaac of Dalmatia on 30 May 1858).

Historical note:

This medal commemorates the consecration of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg in 1858. The obverse emphasizes dynastic legacy through portraits of five emperors, beginning with Peter the Great. The design reflects both religious reverence and architectural triumph, paying homage to the generations involved in constructing the Empire’s grandest cathedral.