Watch List notes:

RUSSIA. Coronation of Paul I Gold Medal, ND (1797). St. Petersburg Mint. PCGS Genuine--Ex Jewelry, AU Details.
Diakov-243.10. By C. Meisner. Diameter: 39mm; Weight: 19.64 gms. Obverse: Ermine-mantled and uniformed bust right; Reverse: Greek cross, with shaded texture. Seldom encountered in gold, this decently preserved example exhibits a bold strike with high relief obverse devices displaying a pale golden coloration and remaining luster in the protected areas of the legends. Close inspection reveals evidence of being removed from a bezel as well as being cleaned, now somewhat subdued and wholesome looking. Despite its shortcomings, an enticing and alluring medal for this short-reigning czar.

Paul I ascended the throne after his mother Catherine the Great died from a stroke on 17 November 1796. His legitimacy as rightful heir to the throne was immediately in question, with his first act as Czar being the retrieval and possible destruction of his mother's last will and testament, which he feared would exclude him from the line of succession. He was the only son of Catherine and Peter III, whom he somewhat resembled, though his mother hinted that her lover, Sergei Saltykov, also of Romanov blood, had in fact been his father. The lower classes approved of him, but he was disliked greatly by the noble class, as his policies were generally considered an annoyance. This ultimately led to a conspiracy and his assassination 23 March 1801.

Estimate: $6000 - $9000