RUSSIA. Ministry of Public Education/Peter I (the Great) & Alexander II Gold Award Medal, 1872. NGC MS-62. Dia-787.1 (R4); Smirnov-741. Diameter: 44mm. By L. Shteinman. Obverse: Jugate busts right of Alexander II and Peter I within garlanded oak and laurel wreath; Reverse: Legend in five lines within circular legend. <strong>INCREDIBLY RARE</strong> and highly appealing, this impressive medal was issued for the Peter the Great Prize and the 200th anniversary of the czars birth. Based upon the obverse legend in the garlands of the wreath, the medal would appear to have been a token of appreciation to those involved with the reviewing of the essays submitted for the Peter the Great Prize. In this case, the type would serve a similar role to the modern Nobel Nominating Committee medals, though with this type existing in exceptionally small quantities--especially in gold as here. A few light marks in the fields, but otherwise highly brilliant and attractive.
