Russia Tin-Alloy Medal 1705 (2nd half 18th c.) - Capture of Mitau (Jelgava), 3 September 1705 - Peter I (1682–1725)
36.40g. 46mm. UNC/UNC.
Medalier: Timofey Ivanov (• T • I • on obverse truncation). Diakov 23.6 (Ar - R1).
Obv.: Bust of Peter I right, in laurel wreath with bow; cuirass decorated with arabesques. Inscription around: PETRVS . ALEXII . FIL . D . G . RVSS . IMP . M . DVXMOSCOVIÆ (Peter, son of Alexis, by the grace of God Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Moscow).
Rev.: Chronogram 1705. Against the background of the siege plan of the fortress, the allegorical figure of Mitau is seated, wearing a mural crown; her left hand rests upon the Swedish shield with three crowns, and a sword falls from her right. Inscription around: CVRAT CONTENDERE MARTE • VIRG. (She strives in vain to fight with Mars). In exergue: MITTAVIVM EXPVG | 4 • SEPT • S • V • (Mitau taken on 4 September [Old Style]).
The medal commemorates the capture of Mitau (Jelgava, Latvia) by Russian forces during the Great Northern War. The fortress, held by a Swedish garrison, fell after a short siege in early September 1705, when Russian troops under General Boris Sheremetev forced its surrender. The victory deprived Sweden of one of its principal strongholds in Courland (present-day Latvia) and further consolidated Peter the Great’s position in the Baltic region, strengthening Russian influence in Livonia and paving the way for subsequent campaigns against Swedish forces in Poland and Lithuania.
