Finland, Grand Duchy Alexander III 1 Penni

History

1 Penni 1881-1894, KM# 10, Finland, Grand Duchy, Alexander III

Obverse. Photo © Numismatic Guaranty Company

Description

The Grand Duchy of Finland was the predecessor state of modern Finland. It existed between 1809 and 1917 as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire and was ruled by the Russian Emperor as Grand Duke.

Alexander III (1845-1894) was the penultimate Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland from 1881 until his death in 1894. He was highly conservative and reversed some of the liberal reforms of his father, Alexander II. During Alexander's reign Russia fought no major wars, for which he was styled "The Peacemaker". More than six feet tall (about 1.9 m), he was also noted for his immense physical strength.

The design for the coin was drawn by the heraldic artist Alexander Fadejev.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Imperial Crown of Russia Monogram, signature Alexander III Displays the monogram of Alexander III. The Imperial Crown of Russia with two ends of flying ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew is above. The Imperial Crown of Russia, also known as the Great Imperial Crown, was used by the Emperors of Russia until the monarchy's abolition in 1917. The Great Imperial Crown was first used in a coronation by Catherine II, and was last used at the coronation of Nicholas II. It survived the subsequent revolution and a temporary sojourn in Ireland, and is currently on display in the Moscow Kremlin Armoury State Diamond Fund. Order of St. Andrew was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. A III
Reverse	Value and date. 1 PENNI 1883
Edge	Plain