Russia Bronze Award Medal 1914 - Bicentennial of the Naval Battle of Gangut, 27 July 1714 - Nicholas II (1894–1917)

11.12g. 27mm. UNC/UNC. Bright mint luster. 

Unknown private workshop. 

Medalier: Pyotr Stadnitsky (unsigned) for prototype. 

Diakov 1571.2 (for prototype); Bitkin (Medals) 157, private workshop, type а. 

Rare state of preservation. 

Obv.: Under semicircular legend, bust of Peter I facing left, in laurel wreath and armor covered by a mantle. 

Inscription around: 

ПЕТРЪ ВЕЛИКI • ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ • ВСЕРОС . 

(Peter the Great, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia). 

Rev.: Depiction of Swedish and Russian ships, copied from the original medal “For the Victory at Gangut” of 1714. 

Inscription around: 

ПРИЛЕЖАНІЕ И ВѢРНОСТЬ ПРЕВОСХОДИТЬ СИЛЬНО ПЕРВАЯ МОРСКАЯ ПОБѢДА ПРИ ГАНГУТѢ 

(Diligence and faith surpass strength. The first naval victory at Gangut). 

In exergue: 

ІЮЛЯ 27 ДНЯ | 1714. 

(July 27, 1714). 

The design of the medal was officially approved by Imperial decree on 28 November 1913, while the regulations governing its award were issued on 7 July 1914. According to these regulations—made public only on 28 February 1915—the right to wear the medal was granted to all personnel of the Naval Department and army units that had taken part in the Battle of Gangut and were in service as of 27 July 1914, the date of the bicentennial. It was also extended to all direct male descendants of admirals, generals, and commanders who had participated in the battle, as well as to former officers, medical and civil officials, and members of the clergy who had previously served in the Naval Department.

A total of about 94,000 medals were struck. However, with the outbreak of World War I, the anniversary celebrations were canceled. On 23 February 1915, a special Imperial order decreed that the medals be distributed to lower ranks of the Navy and Army after the war, to those same units and in the same composition as originally intended for the jubilee ceremony. Officers were to receive their medals immediately. In the end, during 1915–1916, approximately 10,000 medals were actually awarded.