Offered at Kuenker next week, the piece presents an extraordinary image of Alexandra Feodorovna
As we’ve reported, Kuenker has a series of exciting numismatic auctions coming up next week which including a sale specialising in Russian and Chinese coins featuring a celebration of a great Russian victory and the Julius Hagander collection of Swedish coins.
However, the medallion presenting the Battle of Storkyro is not expected to be the top lot in the Russian coin auction.
One piece which has a better chance of that status is an 1860 gold medal, by I. and V. Alexeev Chukmasov, on the death of Tsar Alexander II’s mother Alexandra Feodorovna rowna, wife of Tsar Nicholas I.
The obverse shows a bust of the deceased with tiara and veil, whilst the reverse shows an angel with a cross hanging over the grave of the Empress, to a kneeling female figure with child, and a kneeling genius, who holds a torch into a snake ring, the symbol of eternity.
Measuring 68.16 mm, and weighing 222.05g, this gold piece is of the greatest rarity and in excellent condition.
Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna was born on July 13 1798 in Berlin as Princess Friederike Wilhelmine Charlotte of Prussia. Charlotte was the third child and eldest daughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm III and Queen Louise.
She was engaged to marry Nicholas I (as he was to be) whilst still a teenager. Although the wedding was contrived as a political measure to reaffirm the Russo-Prussian alliance it was very happy and the marriage produced seven children.
Charlotte joined the Russian Orthodox Church and was named as Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna.
The medal is expected to achieve €50,000 ($68,500) in the auction which takes place on September 30.
