RUSSIA. Coronation of Paul I Gold Medal, ND (1797). PCGS Genuine--Filed Rims, Unc Details Secure Holder.cf.Diakov-243.10. By C. Meisner. Peruked and uniformed bust of Paul facing right; Reverse: Broad, shaded cross in plain field. Minor filing to the rims. Paul I ascended the throne after his mother Catherine the great died from a stroke on 17 November 1796. His legitimacy as rightful heir to the throne was in question and his first act as Emperor was to locate and possibly destroy his mothers last will and testament which he feared would exclude him from succession. He was the only son of Peter III whom he resembled quite a bit and Catherine the Great, though she hinted that her lover Sergei Saltykov also of Romanov blood had fathered him. The lower classes approved of him, but he was disliked by the noble class as his policies were generally considered an annoyance which led to a conspiracy and ultimately his assassination 23 March 1801. Light wispy hairlines present with a lovely honey-gold tone in the open fields and red-orange amongst the legend and devices. Overall a hefty and impressive Imperial gold medal.
