Russian Bronze Medal Commemorating the 1861 Emancipation of the Serfs
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1861
This Russian bronze medal commemorates the emancipation of the serfs under Tsar Alexander II, formally enacted on February 19, 1861. The medal features a substantial diameter of 68 mm and a weight of 139.27 grams, exhibiting a genuine aged patina.
The obverse displays a narrative scene featuring the date "19 February 1861" and is inscribed with the names of the designer, Count Tolstoy, and the engraver, N. Kozin. The reverse includes a decorative motif involving a cross and an inscription related to God's blessing on free labor. The composition is highly symbolic, reflecting the social and political transformation of the Russian Empire as it transitioned away from the institution of serfdom.
The artistic execution emphasizes the shift in the labor status of the Russian peasantry during the 19th century, serving as a historical testament to the imperial ukase that changed the nation's economic structure. Its bronze construction remains in a state showing original oxidation, untouched by modern cleaning processes, preserving the historical integrity of the piece.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 139.27 g
- Diameter
- 68 mm
- Material
- bronze
Technical characteristics
- Engraving
- N. Kozin
Design
- Obverse
- Dated 19 February 1861, scene with figures, inscriptions referencing Count Tolstoy and N. Kozin
- Reverse
- Includes a cross motif and inscription regarding the blessing of free labor
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- N. Kozin (engraver), Count Tolstoy (modeler)
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.