Finland (Russia, St.Petersburg mint) Silver Prize Medal 1894 - 10th Agricultural Exhibition in Vaasa - Alexander III (1881–1894)

76.18g. 57mm. AU/UNC. Beautiful prooflike exemplar with old patina. 

Medalier: A. Griliches Sr. (signature on obverse at lower right: ГРИЛИХЕСЪ). 

Smirnov 1023. 

Rare. 

Obv.: Female figure in national dress holding a sheaf of wheat, rural landscape in the background, crowned municipal arms of Vaasa below. 

Inscription around: 

TYÖSTÄ KUNNIA - ARBETET ADLAR 

(Honor through work – Labor ennobles). 

Rev.: Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland - crowned lion within a shield, flanked by branches of grain and laurel. 

Inscription around:

10:S ALLMÄNNA FINSKA LANDTBRUKSMÖTET - 10:S YLEINEN SUOMEN MAATALOUSKOKOUS - 1894 

(10th General Finnish Agricultural Meeting 1894). 

The 10th General Finnish Agricultural Meeting held in Vaasa in 1894 was part of a series of exhibitions promoting modern farming techniques, animal husbandry, and rural development within the Grand Duchy of Finland under Russian rule. These exhibitions encouraged innovation, rewarded excellence in agricultural production, and symbolized the government’s support for economic progress in Finland. This medal, struck at the St. Petersburg Mint by Avenir Griliches Sr., was awarded to participants and stands as a rare testimony to Finland’s agrarian modernization at the close of the 19th century.