Russia, Imperial. A Medal for the Annexation of Crimea

Constructed of tin, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing bust of Empress Catherine II (“the Great”), circumscribed by name and title in Cyrillic, the reverse bearing a detailed map of Crimea, southern Ukraine, and the Sea of Azov, situated above a Cyrillic inscription indicating that the medal was issued to commemorate the 1783 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Empire (presented as 8 April according to the Old Style calendar, instead of 19 April according to the New Style calendar), the obverse engraver marked “ТИМОФЕИ ЇВАНОВЪ” (“TIMOFEI IVANOV”), measuring 65.60 mm in diameter, demonstrating some edge nicks and dulling of finish, in better than very fine condition.