Possible Russian Exonumia

Geotovore

I was wondering if someone could help me with a coin I recently found while rummaging through a container of guitar picks and random screws. It's a Russian coin with no denomination or date so I assume its a token of some sort. Slightly larger than a Susan B. Anthony dollar, it has the following in Russian:

ЗА ХРАБРОСТБ – Reverse

Б.М.ААЕКСАНАР II ИМПЕРАТОРБ И САМОДЕРЖ. ВСЕРОС. - Obverse

I can't for the life of me find my Russian to English dictionary, and don't have a camera to show anyone, so I don't really expect an immediate answer. However, any help would be appreciated, even if it's a crude translation. Thanks.

Post Script. I just previewed my message, and it doesn't look like the Russian is going to show up, so I'll upload a screenshot.

ajaan

I would think TwoKopeiki could translate it for you. Send him a PM.

TwoKopeiki

It appears to be a medal awarded for Bravery during the reign of Alexander II (1855-1881). It was issued sometime between 1872 and 1878, since it doesn't appear to have the "rank of the award" on it. In 1872 Alexander II established the rules for awarding this medal for bravery, especially during the Crimean (1853-1856) and Russo-Turkish (1877-1878) Wars. I don't have Bitkin or Diakov catalogs, but the references to this medal I've found mention that it's Bitkin-907, Diakov-635.6. I take it that it's silver, 10.37 or so grams, and around 29mm in diameter?

Would be nice to see a picture, as well.

If it's the one I've found, it's a somewhat rare medal. I hope once you post pictures folks with Diakov and Bitkin references can confirm the numbers for you.

TwoKopeiki

Here are the images I've found. Your legend is a little different, though, so I would assume a different Bitkin/Diakov number.

Geotovore

That's almost exactly it, the only difference is the coin I have has the gentleman facing left, and no indication of it being a necklace (no place to chain it from). Very informative, though. Thank you very much for the help! (I can probably get a camera tonight, actually.)

Geotovore

I boofed this image from a medal. It has the back of the one you just provided. The front looks as follows:

TwoKopeiki

It appears to be variety 120-g from the following website: http://awards.netdialogue.com/Russia/Empire/GM/GM.htm



<< <i> г ) Л.С. Портрет императора Александра II влево. Надпись по окружности: «Б. М. АЛЕКСАНДРЪ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖ. ВСЕРОСС». На обрезе плеча: «Р.Г.».
Размер 28(29) мм. >>



Portrait of the emperor Alexander II left. Legend "Б. М. АЛЕКСАНДРЪ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖ. ВСЕРОСС". On the shoulder initials "P.Г.".
Size 28(29)mm.

Now you just have to find somebody with the catalogs to give you the reference numbers.

Geotovore

Thank you much.

<Edit> I got that camera and uploaded images for future reference.