Russia (Finland) Tin-Alloy Medal 1713 (2nd half 18th c.) - Landing of Russian Troops at Åbo, 28 August 1713 - Peter I (1682–1725)

27.68g. 48mm. UNC/UNC. Marvelous brilliant icy mint frost specimen with mirror shine. 

St. Petersburg mint. 

Medalier: S. Yudin (С • Ю • on obverse truncation). 

Diakov 44.6 (Ar - R1). 

Tin-lead alloy medals are rarely found in excellent condition, as the metal is prone to oxidation and easily susceptible to mechanical damage. Medals with an obverse by Samoylo Yudin are encountered significantly less frequently than those by Timofey Ivanov. 

Obv.: Bust of Peter I right, in laurel wreath; in scale armour. 

Inscription around:

PETRVS • ALEXEEWITZ • M • D • TZAR • M • D • MOSCOV . 

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

Rev.: Hercules in lion skin right, stepping out of Neptune’s chariot adorned with a shield bearing the double-headed eagle.

Inscription around:

TERRA SISTERE PETITA • OVID •

(He sought to set foot on land — Ovid).

In exergue:

AD ABVM FINLANDIÆ | MDCCXIII • | D 8 • SEPT •

(At Åbo in Finland. 1713. 8 September [Old Style]).

The landing of Russian forces at Åbo (Turku) in August 1713 was part of Russia’s campaign against Sweden during the Great Northern War. The operation secured a strategic foothold on the coast of Finland, facilitating further advances inland. This action weakened Sweden’s control in Finland and contributed to the gradual transfer of the region under Russian dominance during the later stages of the war.