ARCHITECTURAL MEDALS. Belgium - Russia. St. Isaac s at St. Petersburg Bronze Medal, 1858. Geerts (Ixelles) Mint. MINT STATE. Ross-M210 (R3); van Hoydonck-158; Reinecke-57. 59mm. By Jacques Wiener. Obverse: Three-quarter exterior view of the church building; Reverse: Interior view looking down the nave from a vantage point just to the right side of the center aisle. One of the <strong>RARER </strong>and more desirable types within the series, this variety features a mix of Russian and French legends on the obverse.<p><em>Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg--named in his honor--and wished to have a church constructed there commemorating St. Isaac of Dalmatia, as he was born on that saint s feast day. Numerous attempts were made and failed for different reasons, though a successful church was built beginning in 1818, the interior of which was completed around the time at which this medal was issued.</em> From the Richard Jewell Collection.<p>Ex. Coin Galleries (10/2010) Lot # 2815.
