Russia (France) Silver Medal 1717 (after 1880) - Visit of Peter I to the Paris Mint, 1 June 1717

97.19g. Silver 0.950. 59mm. UNC/UNC. 

Paris mint. Marks on the edge: "ARGENT", cornucopia. 

Medalier: Jean Duvivier (DU VIVIER F • on obverse truncation).

Diakov 52.1 (Ar - R1). 

Very rare. 

Obv.: Bust of Peter I right, in wig, armour, and ermine mantle.

Inscription around:

PETRUS ALEXIEWITZ TZAR MAG . RUSS . IMP .

(Peter Alexeyevich, Tsar Great, Emperor of Russia).

Rev.: Fame flying right against the background of a mountainous landscape with the rising sun; in her hands trumpets, and in the right one standards bearing the image of Saint George slaying the dragon.

Inscription around:

VIRES ACQUIRIT EUNDO

(He grows stronger as he goes).

In exergue:

LUTET . PARISI . | M . D . СС . XVII.

(In Paris, 1717).

Peter I’s visit to the Paris Mint on 1 June 1717 formed part of his wider journey through France during his second trip to Western Europe. The visit reflected his sustained interest in European minting, engraving, metallurgy, and the technical organisation of state production, all of which were important to his programme of reform in Russia. His stay in Paris (modern France) symbolised both diplomatic contact with the French court and Peter’s practical study of Western institutions, which he used to strengthen the administrative, military, and economic foundations of the Russian state.