Lot 3750

Description

Alexander II, (1855 - 1881), 1856 dated Medal or ’Coronation Rouble’ comprising 50 medals or pattern roubles in golden alloy, 50 medals or pattern roubles in high grade copper and 50 in nickel silver, struck to a prooflike/proof finish in limited quantities, FDC. (150)

From a total mintage of only 975 pieces of each metal. Alexander was a pragmatic leader who veered away from the narrow autocratic views of his father Nicholas I. He quickly ended the embarrassing foreign policy manoeuvres and made peace in the Crimea. In 1861 he emancipated the serfs in Russia and began other relatively liberal reforms, but this did not prevent constant attempts on his life, and his eventual assassination by a bomber in March 1881.