A very rare medal known on the market almost exclusively from bronze prints.
The item was created on the initiative of Prince Theodor Tolstoy on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the University of Vilnius founded by Stefan Batory falling in 1828.
Interestingly, Tolstoy himself made a mistake on the medal by reversing the letter D denoting the number 500 in the date in Latin notation.
The medal is minted in silver, with background shining and scratches from the cloth, typical of medals of the period.
Obverse: busts of Stefan Batory and Alexander I facing right, below them signature of the author - Theodore Tolstoy, in the rim legend:
STEPHANO BATORIO CONDITORI AN.MDLXXVIII*ALEXANDRO I RESTITUTORI AN.MDCCCIII*;
Reverse: head of Nicholas I to the right, below it signature of the author, in the rim legend:
NICOLAO I FAUTORI UNIVERSITAS LITTERARUM VILNENSIS/HOC GRATI PIIQUE ANIMI MONUMENTUM EXSTARE VOLUIT VLI CAL QUINT MDCCCXXVIII;
Silver, diameter 66 mm, weight 189.3 g
