Imperial Russia Tsar Nicholas I Memorial Medal ORIGNAL by Russian Private Maker

Description

Russian Empire, Medal Commemorating the Reign of Nicholas I, established in 1896.
The medal is in brass (“light bronze”), 27.0 mm wide. Its reverse bears the legend "In Memory of the Tsar - To Those Who Had Served Him Faithfully, 1825 - 1855". Judging by its details, the medal was made by a private jeweler as was often the case (even though the same medals were also produced by the State Mint.) One interesting detail is the little cross with rounded arms that separates the beginning and end of the phrase on the reverse: it is the same as was observed on other known privately made examples and differs from the five- or six-sided star found on mint issues.
The medal is in fair condition. It shows a lot of pitting, probably from being in a caustic environment for many years. Nevertheless, the details on both sides are still relatively well defined, don’t show a lot of overall wear or dings. Traces of original “gilt” mint luster are still visible on the edge near the eyelet.   Comes with a new St. Vladimir / St Alexander Nevsky ribbon mounted on a Soviet-era suspension device.
The medal was established in 1896 during the reign of Nicholas II. Its bronze version was awarded to junior civil service ranks who had served under Nicholas I to commemorate his 100th birthday anniversary. /See Dimitri Romanov,
The Orders, Medals and History of Imperial Russia
, pp. 228-229/.
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