Russia, Completion of the Nikolaevsky Bridge across the River Neva, St Petersburg, 1850, a silver medal by A. Klepikov and Lyalin after Count Tolstoi, Imperial eagle flying over bridge, rev. Hercules encouraged by Minerva to step on his club which rides the waves of the river, 75mm (cf. Baldwin/Markov NY Auction XII, 1495). Trifling hairlines, otherwise brilliant mint state and most attractively toned, rare (£400-600)

Plate 18 and back cover