Medal for the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Light Bronze Version for Combatants, by a Private Maker "AB".
Made in brass ("light bronze"), measures 31.0 mm in height incl. eyelet, 26.4 mm in width; weighs 7.9 g not including the ribbon and connecting link. The obverse shows an Eastern Orthodox cross standing upon a Muslim crescent. Inscription to the reverse reads, "Not Unto Us, Not Unto Us, But in Thy Name". The eyelet has a struck maker mark AБ (Cyrillic "AB"). This privately-made piece exhibits the same quality and attention to detail as the mint issues.
In outstanding, excellent condition. The medallion shows only a few minuscule contact marks that are nearly unnoticea
Made in brass ("light bronze"), measures 31.0 mm in height incl. eyelet, 26.4 mm in width; weighs 7.9 g not including the ribbon and connecting link. The obverse shows an Eastern Orthodox cross standing upon a Muslim crescent. Inscription to the reverse reads, "Not Unto Us, Not Unto Us, But in Thy Name". The eyelet has a struck maker mark AБ (Cyrillic "AB"). This privately-made piece exhibits the same quality and attention to detail as the mint issues.
In outstanding, excellent condition. The medallion shows only a few minuscule contact marks that are nearly unnoticeable to the naked eye, no scratches, edge knocks or other significant wear of any kind. The raised details are perfect and crisp. The original mint luster is clearly visible in the recessed areas throughout.
The medal comes with a perfectly preserved original St. Andrew / St. George ribbon in moiré silk. The ribbon is very long, nearly 20 cm (7.5 in inches) in overall length and 2.2 cm in width. Its ends are neatly sewn-in, exactly as worn by the original recipient. The brass jump ring is of the period as well and, in all likelihood, original to the medal. Overall, it is a truly superb and very rare example: privately made maker-marked Russo-Turkish War medals are in general far more scarce than their mint-made counterparts. The maker mark "AB", albeit observed on other medals of the era, makes it particularly unusual - certainly the first one we have handled in decades.
/Dimitri Romanov, The Orders, Medals and History of Imperial Russia, pp. 196, 197/
$350.00 Add to cart