Russia Bronze Medal 1704 (Novodel late 18th - 19th century) - For the Construction of the Kronshlot Fortress - Peter I (1682–1725) - NGC MS 64 BN

Top Pop — an excellent specimen with untouched surfaces, a sharp strike, vibrant Mint luster, and elegant natural toning. 

Medalier: Unknown (Copy of Müller's dies). 

Diakov 19.2 (Ar - R1). 

Obv.: View of the Kronshlot fortress under the St. Andrew’s flag. 

Inscription around: 

PALLAS QVAM CONDIDIT ARCEM IPSA COLIT • VIRG • 

(Pallas herself inhabits the fortress she founded. – Vergil.) 

Below the exergue: 

• CRON • SCHLOS | MEDIA HIEME A RVSS • IMPERA | TORE EXTRVCT • | MDCCIIII • 

(Kronshlot, built in the middle of winter by the Russian Emperor. 1704. Note: "EXTRVCT" is a misspelling of "EXSTRVCT".) 

Rev.: On the shore, against a seascape with ships and rising sun among the clouds, stands a radiant figure of Minerva holding a spear in her right hand. At her feet are navigation instruments. In the sea, a nest with a halcyon (kingfisher) floats toward the shore. A six-pointed star at the lower edge. 

Inscription around: 

HIBERNO TEMPORE NIDIS INCVBAT ALCYONE • | TVM VIA ТVТА MARIS • | OVID • МЕТАМ • 

(In wintertime Alcyone broods on her nest – then the sea path is safe. – Ovid, Metamorphoses.) 

Below the exergue: 

MARIS FINNICI | SECVRITAS • 

(Security of the Gulf of Finland). 

The medal commemorates the construction of Kronshlot, Russia’s first naval fortress in the Gulf of Finland, established in early 1704 during the Great Northern War. Located on an artificial island near Kotlin, the fortress was built by order of Peter I to block Swedish naval access to the Neva estuary and to protect the developing port of Saint Petersburg. Despite harsh winter conditions, the construction was successfully carried out by Russian forces under the emperor’s direct supervision. The use of classical allegory, such as Minerva and Alcyone, emphasizes the civilizing and protective role of the new naval stronghold, portraying it as both a feat of engineering and a symbol of maritime security.