Russia Award Copper Medal 1856-1862 - In commemoration of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 - Alexander II (1855-1881)

Russia Award Copper Medal 1856-1862 - In commemoration of the Crimean War of 1853–1856 - Alexander II (1855-1881)
11.57g. 28mm. AU/AU. St. Petersburg or Yekaterinburg Mint. Despite their common occurrence and large mintage, these medals are very rarely found in excellent condition, as exemplified by the presented specimen. Diakov 654.2; Bitkin (medals) 962. Obv.: The cyphers of Nicholas I and Alexander II, crowned with Imperial crowns and illuminated by rays of the All-Seeing Eye above them. Below the cyphers, along the edge of the medal, are the dates. "1853-1854-1855-1856". Rev.: A straight five-line inscription. "НА ТЯ | ГОСПОДИ | УПОВАХОМЪ , ДА | НЕ ПОСТЫДИМСЯ | ВО ВѢКИ ." Established by the decrees of Emperor Alexander II dated March 27 and April 11, 1856, addressed to the Minister of War, Prince V.A. Dolgorukov, and subsequently communicated to the Minister of Finance regarding the minting of medals for the coronation day. The medals were issued according to rules approved by the Emperor. They were worn on the chest with order ribbons in the following order of precedence: St. George's, St. Andrew's, St. Vladimir's, and St. Anne's. The medals were awarded only to individuals who, by their service or rank, earned the right to receive them during the period from June 14, 1853, to March 19, 1856. Dark bronze medals were given to civil servants, members of the nobility, and merchants. The inscription on the reverse of the medal: "НА ТЯ ГОСПОДИ УПОВАХОМЪ, ДА НЕ ПОСТЫДИМСЯ ВО ВѢКИ" ('In Thee, O Lord, have we trusted; let us never be confounded') is a quotation from the hymn of praise attributed to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, from the 4th century, known as the "Te Deum Laudamus".