Russia Bronze Medal 1710 (Novodel late 18th - 19th century) - For the Capture of Dünamünde, 8 August 1710 - Peter I (1682–1725)

Top Pop — this superb example features a sharp strike, brilliant Mint luster, and deeply attractive natural toning. 

Medaliers: Timofey Ivanov (obverse, • Т • I • in truncation), Ivan Konstantinov (reverse, IK above the exergue right), copy of Müller's dies. 

Diakov 33.8 (Ar - R1). 

Obv.: Bust of Peter I facing right, wearing a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon; armor decorated with arabesque designs. 

Inscription around: 

PETRVS . ALEXII . FIL . D . G . RVSS . IMP . М . DVXMOSCOVIÆ 

(Peter, son of Alexis, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Moscow). 

Below the truncation: 

• Т • I • 

(Initials of Timofey Ivanov). 

Rev.: Map-like view of the fortress of Dünamünde on an island at the mouth of the Daugava River; in the foreground, a river god figure leaning on two overturned urns pouring water – an allegory of the confluence of the Daugava and Bolder rivers. 

Inscription around: 

CᴇssIsᴛIs ᴘᴀrIᴛᴇʀ вᴇɴᴇ MosCнis osᴛIᴀ DVɴᴁ 

(When you yielded, the mouth of the Dvina also opened to the Muscovites). 

Below the exergue: 

DVNAMVNDA САРТА | 15 • AVG • S • V • 

(Dünamünde taken on 15 August, Old Style. Note: the correct date is 8 August.) 

Above the exergue right: 

IK

(Initials of Ivan Konstantinov). 

The medal commemorates the Russian capture of the strategic fortress of Dünamünde during the Great Northern War. Situated at the confluence of the Daugava and Bolder rivers near Riga, Dünamünde guarded the approaches to Livonia. Its fall to Russian forces on 8 August 1710 marked a critical step in the conquest of Swedish-controlled Baltic territories. The classical imagery of the river god and flowing urns represents the opening of access to the western waterways. The medal was engraved by leading masters of the Saint Petersburg Mint in the second half of the 18th century and reflects the allegorical and baroque style favored in official Russian commemorative issues.