RUSSIA. Coronation of Paul I Silver Medal, ND (1797). St. Petersburg Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-40. Bit-M227; Dia-243.9. Obverse: Bust of Paul I facing right surrounded by legend; Reverse: Broad, shaded cross in plain field. Displaying nice even wear and patina, this medal was struck to commemorate the ascension of Paul I to the Tsardom and presents the collector of coronation medals a chance to obtain a wholesome looking example.<p><em>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.</em>
