Russia, Imperial. A Medal for the 700th Anniversary of the Introduction of Christianity to Finland

Constructed of bronze, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing profile of Tsar Alexander II, circumscribed by name and title in Cyrillic, the reverse bearing a central raised depiction of male and female figures kneeling on top of a rock formation set against a coastal background, flanked by a kantele, topped by a Latin Cross overlaid by a crown of thorns, in turn set against a radiant background and flanked by an inscription of “LUX NOVA ET AETERNA” (“NEW AND ETERNAL LIGHT”), situated above a Latin inscription indicating that the medal was issued to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to Finland, the obverse engraver marked “А . ЛЯЛИНЪ” (“A. LYALIN”), in extremely fine condition.