RUSSIA. Russia - Belgium. St. Isaacs at St. Petersburg Bronze Medal, 1858. Geerts (Ixelles) Mint. UNCIRCULATED. Ross-M210 (R3); van Hoydonck-158; Reinecke-57. Diameter: 59mm; Weight: 84.59 gms. Obverse: СОБОРЪ СВ ИСААКΙЯ ДАΛМАТСКАГО ВЪ С. ПЕТЕРБУРГЪ / ÉGLISE ST ISAAC À ST PETERSBOURG BATIE PAR PIERRE LE GRAND 1717-1727. INCENDIÉE 1735. POSE DE LA 1E PIERRE DE LÉGLISE ACTUELLE PAR ALEXANDRE I 1819. CONSACRÉE PAR ALEXANDRE II 1858, three-quarter exterior view of the church building; Reverse: Interior view looking down the nave from a vantage point just to the right of the center aisle. Edge</em>: Plain. Deep brown surfaces, with some pleasing brilliance remaining. While the overall luster and color are superior to others of this type, a few distractions are noted accounting for a lower designation: some scattered light marks in the upper obverse field, a light scratch in the reverse exergue near the signature, and a minor dig in the central part of the roof on the reverse. Nevertheless, highly attractive for this very rare and desirable issue. Compare to a somewhat inferior example in our April 2020 Collectors Choice Online Auction, lot 30015 (which realized a total of $960).From what is today eastern Netherlands and western Germany, the Wieners were a Jewish family of exceptional medalists, especially known for numerous numismatic works throughout the Kingdom of Belgium. Eldest brother Jacques, along with younger brothers Leopold and Charles, created some of the finest works of medallic art of the 19th century, and all are particularly noted for their work in the highly detailed and intricate work of architectural renderings.</em>
