Watch List notes:

RUSSIA. Peter I (the Great)/Capture of Reval (Tallinn) Gold Medal, "1710" (in reverse chronogram). PCGS SPECIMEN Genuine--Rim Repaired, Unc Details Gold Shield.
Dia-37.5. Diameter: 47mm; Weight: 63.87 gms. By I. Konstantinov. Obverse: Laureate, mantled, and armored bust right; Reverse: Stylized aerial view of the city's fortifications; to upper right, armored and winged Genius flying left, holding sword and mural crown as indication of the civic capitulation. Edge: Some repair as noted, otherwise plain. VERY RARE and highly brilliant, this majestic medal emanates from the vast series celebrating various annual achievements during the reign of Peter the Great, of which the exploits of the Great Northern War (between Russia and Sweden) play an integral role. Despite some scattered marks and hairlines, it nevertheless retains a stunning overall appearance, along with a highly intricate obverse. Indeed, Peter's portrait seemingly comes alive given the impressive artistic rendition by Konstantinov.

This particular medal celebrates the surrender of the city of Reval, now known as Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. Along with the surrenders of Riga and Pernau, the capitulation of Estonia and Livonia (Sweden's Baltic provinces) marked a decided shift in the balance of power in the north, with Russia emerging as a clear broker in the region. Though once alleged to have utilized biological warfare in their conquest of Reval, Russia is no longer believed to have been behind the sudden outbreak of a plague within the city. Besieged by Russian forces and ultimately yielding, the city seems to have fallen ill with the disease before the Russian forces were able to lay siege from outside. Nevertheless, the fabled tale of Russians dumping corpses into streams destined for the city remains as an apocryphal example of biological warfare.

From the Pinnacle Collection.

Estimate: $30000.00- $50000.00