Reverse: [In Russian] HE WHO GUARDS THIS DOES NOT SLEEP, BETTER DEATH THAN DISLOYALTY/in ex: 1708 - Four ships sailing; in background on r., infantry fighting on seashore; above, center: laurel wreath held by two hands emerging from clouds
This medal was originally struck in St. Petersburg in 1708 to commemorate the victory of Russian navy and infantry over the Swedes who attempted to seize control over St. Petersburg. The obverse die stamp was executed by Solomon Gouin; the reverse - by Gottfried Haupt. ANS specimen is a later copy ; the die-stamps were recut by Samoila Yudin who was active as a die-cutter at St. Petersburg Mint from 1751 through 1790.
