Russia Bronze Medal 1720 (middle 19th c.) - Capture of Four Swedish Frigates near the Island of Grengam, 27 July 1720 - Peter I (1682–1725)

62.06g. 61mm. XF/AU. 

St. Petersburg mint.

Medaliers: obverse by Timofey Ivanov (without signature); M. Kuchkin (M • K • on reverse). 

Diakov 56.8 (Ar - R2). 

Obv.: Bust of Peter I right, in Roman armour, ermine mantle, and laurel wreath.

Inscription around:

БОЖIЕЮ МIЛОСТIЮ ПЕТРЪ ПЕРВЫ ЦРЬ IСАМОДЕРЖЪ ВСЕРОСIИСКIIИ

(By the grace of God Peter the First, Tsar and Autocrat of All Russia).

Rev.: Naval battle scene showing the retreat of Swedish ships under attack by Russian forces and the boarding and capture of four Swedish frigates.

Inscription around:

ПРIЛѢЖАНIЕ • IXPAБPOCTЪ ПРЕВОСХОДИТЬ СИЛУ

(Diligence and bravery surpass strength).

In exergue:

ПРИГРЕIНГАМѢ • 1720 | IУЛЯ • 27 • ДНЯ •

(At Grengam, 1720, on the 27th day of July).

The naval engagement near Grengam on 27 July 1720 was a significant victory of Russia over Sweden during the final phase of the Great Northern War. Russian galley forces engaged a Swedish squadron in the Åland archipelago and succeeded in capturing four frigates after close combat. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of Russia’s galley fleet in confined waters and further weakened Sweden’s naval presence in the Baltic, contributing to the conclusion of the war.