Russia Bronze Medal 1829 - Complete rout of two Turkish army corps - Nicholas I (1825–1855)

124.17g. 65mm. UNC/UNC. 

Medaliers: A. Klepikov (obverse, Р . А . КЛЕПИКОВЪ), A. Lyalin (reverse, РѢЗАЛЪ А. ЛЯЛИНЪ) from a model by Count Fyodor Tolstoy (СЪ МОДЕЛИ ГРАФА ѲЕОДОРА ТОЛСТАГО). 

Diakov 1789 Ae - R1. 

Rarely encountered in such a high state of preservation. 

Obv.: Double-headed eagle with wings outstretched, crowned with three imperial crowns. On its chest, a shield with Saint George slaying the dragon, encircled by the Order of St. Andrew. The eagle holds a sceptre in its right talon and an orb in its left. A continuous laurel wreath surrounds the entire composition. 

Below the truncation: 

Р . А . КЛЕПИКОВЪ 1837 

(Engraved by A. Klepikov, 1837). 

Rev.: Russian warrior in helmet, mail, and cuirass with a double-headed eagle on his chest, seizes a crescent-and-star banner from a kneeling Turk with his left hand. With his right, he raises a sword to strike another Turkish warrior crouching with shield and yatagan. Around them lie banners, weapons, and the body of a fallen ally in the background. 

Inscription around: 

СОВЕРШЕННОЕ РАЗБИТIЕ ДВУХЪ КОРПУСОВЪ ТУРЕЦКОИ АРМIИ 

(Complete rout of two Turkish army corps). 

Below the truncation: 

СЪ МОДЕЛИ ГРАФА ѲЕОДОРА ТОЛСТАГО. / РѢЗАЛЪ А. ЛЯЛИНЪ. 1839. / 1829. 

(From a model by Count Fyodor Tolstoy / Engraved by A. Lyalin. 1839. / 1829.) 

This medal commemorates the decisive Russian victory in 1829 during the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829, specifically marking the total defeat of two Ottoman army corps by Russian forces. These events took place in the final and most intense phase of the war, when Russian troops under General Hans Karl von Diebitsch achieved a series of crushing victories in the Balkans.

In the summer of 1829, after crossing the Balkan Mountains, Diebitsch's army moved rapidly toward Adrianople (modern Edirne), defeating Ottoman forces in a series of engagements. Two full Turkish corps were destroyed or scattered in these battles, breaking the strategic resistance of the Ottoman Empire in the region. The swift Russian advance created panic in Constantinople and left the Ottoman capital exposed.

The resulting Treaty of Adrianople (14 September 1829) was a major diplomatic triumph for Russia. It secured Russian control over the Danube delta, confirmed autonomy for Serbia, recognized Russian protectorate rights over the Danubian Principalities, and gave Russia the right of navigation in the Black Sea and through the Dardanelles.