Peter I gold Late Restrike "Conquest of Livland" Medal 1710-Dated UNC (Surface Hairlines), cf. Diakov-38.3 (copy in silver), Reichel Collection-Unl. 47mm. 70.08gm. By Piotr Stadnitsky (signed ΠC). A truly impressive medallic execution, entirely unrecorded by Diakov, and produced to clearly Prooflike or Specimen specifications. Designed following P.H. Müller's original, struck to commemorate the Capitulation of Estonia and Livonia during the Great Northern War, the specimen presented here is much closer to O. Kalasnikov's copy in terms of its obverse bust design, with just a few small stylistic variations, as well as a "crisper" font to the legends. Though no work of this type is recorded from Stadnitsky's hand--official medalist to the Russian Imperial Mint in St. Petersburg during the reign of Nicholas II--that this is his product can hardly be disputed, the obverse die being a perfect match to his copy of Müller's Capture of Riga medal (cf. Diakov-32.9). As such, the issue represents a superb rarity, with Müller's originals and even Kalasnikov's copies being relatively unattainable in gold. Although deemed "ineligible" by NGC as a late restrike, this lot is sold with a photocopy of the letter of authentication from the Russian State Historical Museum, signed by A.S. Shkurko.

HID09801242017

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