Russia: Catherine II gold "Journey to Crimea" Medal 1787-Dated MS62 Prooflike NGC,...

Description

Catherine the Great's Crimean Expedition Medal in Gold

Catherine II gold "Journey to Crimea" Medal 1787-Dated MS62 Prooflike NGC, Diakov-205.1 (unlisted in gold). 65mm. 124.77gm. By Timofei Ivanov. Obv. Mailed and draped bust of Catherine II r., titles Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias. Rev. Map of European Russia with Empress' routes from St. Petersburg to Kherson and Perekop.

At the start of the year 1787, Catherine the Great set out on a 6-month expedition to Crimea to tour newly acquired Russian Empire land, much of which was created from territories of the Crimean Khanate that Russia had recently annexed from the Ottoman Empire in 1783. Later in 1787, soon after Catherine's return from this expedition, another period of Russo-Turkish war commenced; the Ottoman Empire attempting (unsuccessfully) to reclaim territory lost to Russia as the result of previous military conflict, some of which was the Crimean areas Catherine had just visited that are depicted on this medal.

Due to the Crimean subject matter, this is a prized medallic issue, fiercely contested in silver and bronze at each appearance. Gold renditions, however, are in another stratosphere of collectibility; previous examples bringing sums that place them among the most treasured numismatic issues of Catherine the Great's reign, coin or medal. We believe this to be the only gold example in certified state, receiving a Prooflike Mint State designation from NGC. The golden honey color of the surfaces and sweeping brilliance displayed across the broad flan make for a delightful visual spectacle. The rim abnormalities (as-made) on the reverse place this specimen as the Ex. Eugene Detmer piece sold by Stack's in 1983 and again in 2006. The laudable selection of large-size gold Medals available here from the Geneva Collection is enough to entice even the most selective of the elite Russian Medal collectors.

Ex. Stack's (April 2006, Lot 996); Eugene Detmer Collection (Stack's, February 1983, Lot 405)

From the Geneva Collection

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 65mm

NOTE: This lot was manufactured in Russia and was sourced from outside the United States for this auction after July 27, 2022. Under the new US tariffs on Russian-made goods, many items that were produced in Russia will be subject to a 35% import tariff. Any clients who wish to take delivery of this item in the United States should be aware of this added charge, and consult their tax adviser with any questions. If you choose to take delivery in the United States and purchase both tariffed and non-tariffed lots from this auction, please note that the automatic invoice you receive after the auction will be incorrect; you will be emailed revised invoices shortly afterwards. The lots that fall under the tariff will be invoiced separately and will ship directly from our Hong Kong Office and carry a separate, additional shipping charge.

Note: Due to increasing international regulations regarding tariffs, sanctions, and import restrictions on this lot, additional duties or other restrictions may apply to this lot. Heritage requires all Russian-made items that are shipped internationally to have shipping instructions on file. If you purchase this lot and would like it shipped internationally, you will be emailed our shipping instructions to review and sign after the auction, acknowledging your understanding of the applicable duties, regulations, and responsibilities associated with shipping Russian-made items internationally.

More information about Russian Coins. See also: Russia World Coin Nationality.

葉卡捷琳娜大帝之克里米亞遠徵金章

1787年葉卡捷琳娜二世「克里米亞之旅」類精製金章。MS62 Prooflike NGC。
65毫米。124.77克。由Timofei Ivanov。正面為身披披肩的葉卡捷琳娜二世肖像，頭銜為全俄羅斯大女皇與獨裁者。背面為俄國在歐洲的領土地圖，並顯示女皇由聖彼得堡至赫爾松和佩列科普的路線。

在1787年初，葉卡捷琳娜大帝前往克里米亞開展了為期六個月的旅程，訪巡了俄國新獲得的領土。當中大多都源自克里米亞汗國。而克里米亞汗國則是由俄國於 1783 年鄂圖曼帝國吞併而來。而在1787年葉卡捷琳娜二世完成巡訪後，新一輪俄土戰爭隨即開展。鄂圖曼帝國試圖重奪故土不果，當中部分正是葉卡捷琳娜剛巡訪完畢，並刻於金章上的土地。由於克里米亞為兵家必爭之地，這款獎章意義盎然，即使是銀質和銅質的版本於拍賣中亮相時，都能引起一番龍爭虎鬥。而金質的收藏價值更是不能同日與語。不論以錢幣或獎章而言，先前的拍賣記錄足以證明此為葉卡捷琳娜時期最為珍罕難得的品種之一。敝公司相信，此為已評分的金章孤例，獲NGC評類精製原廠狀態。寬闊的表面上呈現的蜜金色澤，炫目光澤肆意流淌，造就了賞心悅目的視覺效果。若以邊緣的既有不平整處為記，可確認此章正是Eugene Detmer於1983年出售的一枚，後來於2006年再度亮相。這枚超凡卓絕的大型金章出自日內瓦集藏，即使是最為挑剔講究的俄國獎章收藏家，也不得不拜倒於此章的魅力之下。

來源：2006年4月Stack's；1983年2月Eugene Detmer舊藏
日内瓦集藏


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