Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 2047. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $2600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

RUSSIA. Peter I, the Great. 1682-1725. AR Medal (102.47 g, 12h). Samuel Judin, sculptor. The destruction of the mutinous Streltzy. 19th century restrike of 1698 original. PETRVS • ALEXII • FILIVS • D • G • TZAR • ET • MAGNVS • DVX • TOTIVS • RVSSIÆ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / SALVS • PVBLICA • FIRMATA •, PERDUELLIBUS • DELETIS/ CICICXCVIII in two lines in exergue, Hercules standing partly right, holding club and burning with torch the decapitated head of the slain Hydra. Tire 7; Iverson IX/1. Good VF, toned, a few marks in fields. ($1500) )

The Streltzy regiments served as the "Home Guard" of Moscow, defending the city and the czar's court. They were both reactionary and fiercely loyal to the royal family. Unrest within the ranks had sparked several mutinies in the 17th century, with the most dangerous occurring in 1698. Several regiments, protesting harsh living conditions, an abrupt transferal out of Moscow, and possibly also Peter's modernization plans, marched on Moscow, supposedly intent on punishing corrupt boyars and then installing Peter's sister Sophia on the throne. On June 18, 1698 the approaching mutineers were met by forces under Peter's loyal generals Shein and Gordon, and were routed. The rebellious Streltzy were exÉcuted, whipped or sent into exile, and the Moscow regiments were disbanded, to be replaced by units of the czar's new army being built on the western model.