MEDAL FOR BATTLE OF POLTAVA

At dawn June 27, 1709 Swedes moved into the attack. For two months they spent at Poltava, two months in the endless storms trying to master this Russian fortress, which were concentrated large reserves of food and ammunition. Fall Poltava paved the way for them to Moscow and could induce Turkey and the Crimean Khanate to attack Russia. But the garrison, headed by Colonel Kälin fortitude and courage.

On the battle of Poltava, we know, it seems, is all. This was the decisive battle of the multi-year Northern War, and also the very first major and historically significant victory of the regular Russian army, created by Peter I. Evening, June 26, 1709 signed by King in his camp near Poltava order, which was immediately read all the shelves:

"Warriors! Behold the hour, which must decide the fate of the Fatherland. You do not have to think that fighting for Peter, but for the state, entrusted to Peter, for his seed, for the fatherland, for our Orthodox faith and church. Should not you also confuse the glory of the enemy, like a invincible, which is false, you be alone for its own victories over him repeatedly proved.

Photo — «Medal For Battle
of Poltava»

Keep in battle before the eyes of your truth, and God fights for you, in fact the One, Thou all-powerful in the armor. Trust in, and know about Peter that his life is not precious, if only Russia lives in bliss and glory for your welfare.

By June 27 the Russian army at Poltava, there were 42000 people at 72 regimental guns, not counting the Field Artillery. Swedish army numbered 30,000 men, but only participated in the Battle of 24000. The remaining part of the army and the artillery were in the trenches of Poltava, where settled, and several thousands of Ukrainian Cossacks.

On the battlefield were killed 9334 Swedish soldiers and officers, about 3000 people were captured. Swedish King Karl XII fled, making his way with the remnants of his army west to the Dnieper. The victory was complete. In Russian hands fell 264 Swedish flag and standards, as well as icons with a royal monogram.

Poltava victory marked an unprecedented celebrations in Russia. As many as eight days in Moscow was beaten in the bell, there were fireworks, fired from guns and treated people in the streets. A crushing defeat of the Swedish army at Poltava was reflected in several monuments of the medal case.

Photo — «Medal For Battle
of Poltava»

Oral order of Peter I on awarding members of this glorious victory was followed shortly after the battle, and then after the grand victories were minted gold and silver coins. In her "daily yurnale Peter I wrote:" All staff and senior officers of the Emperor bestowed portraits with diamonds and medals (gold) on the dignity of their rank, and soldiers - a silver medal. " But in a written decree of February 8, 1710 mentioned only the silver medal for soldiers, corporals and petty officers of two regiments - Semenovski and Transfiguration. However, in the Armory in the Kremlin kept the only known gold medal with the officer′s image of a rider on the background of the battle, the inscription "For the Battle of Poltava and the date -" 1709 June 27 village.

In the account book Kadashevskaya mint was written that "the orders to do for sergeants, corporals and soldiers of the Transfiguration and the Semenov regiment in the Battle of Poltava 10000 rubles," and further stated: "Taken from the monastic order in case the grant of medals 10000 rubles which are ordered to buy for those medals, a silver merchant row of silver.

Photo — «Medal For Battle
of Poltava»

Originally intended to produce a silver coin, equal to the nominal value of two recipients of the monthly salary of soldiers and noncommissioned officers. But it turned out that their cash salary (depending on rank and seniority), it was different, so we had to cut about 30 pairs of stamps, some of them could be very large. And then the fall of 1710 decided to publish the Poltava silver medals in two weights: uryadnichi - weighing about 19 grams (the price of 3 rubles 24 altân 4 free money) and soldiers - weighing 10 grams and the price of 2 rubles. Besides the difference in weight of these medals and differed on the image on the obverse, but it was very small. Image of Peter I on the soldier′s medals are somewhat smaller, but he has a shoulder ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew. Around the portrait the inscription: "TSR PETR VSEROSSIYSKIY SAMODERZHETS", and on medals for policemen added patronymic king - "ALEKSEVICH.

On the reverse side of the silver medals of the soldiers (their diameter - 43 mm) placed the inscription "For the Battle of Poltava and the date -" 1709 June 27 village, and between the inscription and the date of depicting scenes of battle infantry.

Photo — «Medal For Battle
of Poltava»

On the back of medals for policemen portrayed the battle cavalry.

About 20 tons of silver coinage of 4618 was spent on medals for the soldiers and policemen who participated in the battle of Poltava. Both medals were minted without Ushkov, but to wear them on the blue ribbon of St. Andrew′s eye "already soldered to the final medal, grabbing the edges and closing the individual letters and inscriptions. "

Sovereign′s award in the Army valued very highly, as evidenced by an inscription engraved owner uryadnichey medals at the lateral edge. "This Mantes L. G. P. P. 6-th company sergeant Samson Zybina 1.

Solemn reward for the victory at Poltava was yet another medal. Center of its front side is pierced by the movement of the figure of the king, crowned with laurels, in armor and astride a rearing horse on a background image is surrounded by the inscription of battle - a quote from Ovid: "We envy in this glory. " Placed in short supply-lines inscription, which contains elements of traditional appeals to the emperors of Rome. "Peter Alekseevich the grace of God the great imperial Russia pious, happy most August triumphant.

Photo — «Medal For Battle
of Poltava»

The reverse side of the coin combining real plan of the battle of Poltava, taken from an engraving J. Keizer, and the figure of Hercules, trampling fallen enemy trophies. Hercules, as the personification of a powerful monarch, was essential image of medals at the time. However, the figure of the hero with a lion′s skin on the shoulders of the Poltava medals clearly hinted at the Swedish king, who many medals represented as a heraldic symbol of Sweden. The reverse was the inscription: "poLtaVa MIra CLaDe InsIgnIs" ( "Poltava, astonishing miraculous defeat").

Battle of Poltava was reflected in the European medals. The obverse of the coin, minted Saxon H. vermouth, a portrait of the Swedish King Karl XII; and on the reverse side of it - Obelisk twined with laurels with the emblem of Sweden, in which lightning strikes. The inscription on the front side of the medal reads: "So many glorious victories destroyed at Poltava".