Russia Bronze Medal 1682 (2nd half 18th c.) - Accession of Peter I to the Throne, 27 April 1682 - Peter I (1682–1725)

107.83g. 66mm. XF-/XF-. 

St. Petersburg mint. 

Medalier: Samoila Yudin (САМОИЛА | ЮДИНЪ on obverse truncation & on reverse right on the line of the exergue). 

Diakov 3.2 (Ar - R2). 

Rare. 

Obv.: Bust of Peter I right, in laurel wreath and mantle of fur. 

Inscription around: 

PETRVS ALEXII FILIVS D • G • TZAR • ET • MAGNVS • DVX • TOTIVS • RVSSIÆ 

(Peter, son of Alexis, by the grace of God Tsar and Grand Duke of all Russia). 

Rev.: Against the background of a mountain with the rising sun, the Tsar in Roman armour, mantle, and laurel wreath leads Russia by the hand, pointing her to the road ascending to the Temple of Glory on the summit; with her left hand, Russia leans on a shield bearing the State coat of arms. 

Inscription around: 

MЕА MECVM ASCENDES IN ALTVM 

(With me thou shalt ascend on high). 

In exergue: 

IMPERII HABENAS CAPESSIT XXVII | APRILIS CIƆIƆCLXXXII 

((Peter) takes up the reins of power on 27 April 1682). 

The accession of Peter I in 1682 marked the beginning of one of the most consequential reigns in Russian history. Although his early rule was initially shared and shaped by court struggle and the regency of Sophia Alekseyevna, the event symbolised the rise of a ruler who would later transform the Tsardom of Russia into a major European power. In historical retrospect, Peter’s accession became the starting point of the political, military, and administrative changes that reshaped Russia and altered the balance of power across northern and eastern Europe.