Numismatic Auction #18

RUSSIAN EMPIRE: Catherine II, 1762-1796, novodel AE medal, 1770, Diakov-147.2, Bit-K301, 40mm, Award Medal for the Naval Victory at Chesme by T. Ivanov, crowned and mantled Catherine bust right, signed below / four Russian ships in the foreground, Turkish ships in flames in the background along cityscape inscribed above, lovely brown and orange luster, choice About Unc. Just outside of the city of Chesme on June 24, 1770, twelve Russian ships engaged twenty-two Turkish vessels and destroyed them with the use of fire ships. This naval battle of Chesme was a shock to the Ottomans. The battle itself demoralized the Turks while sending the Russians into celebration. Catherine II used this and other victories over the Turks to solidify her reign over Russia by commissioning medals in honour of the battle and generally encouraging Russian jubilation over the outstanding naval victory.