WEISS COLLECTION

	IN HONOR OF COUNT IVAN BETSKOY LEBERECHT, Carl: Russia, 1772, Bronze, 65 mm Obv: Bust of Count Betskoy (r); Legend in Cyrillic translated as: "Ivan Ivanovich Betzkoy". Rev: Mother Russia, playing with children, is seated by an obelisk dedicated to Betskoy; view of the Moscow Senate building behind. An elephant and a crane are standing to the left. Around in Cyrillic: "For Love to the Fatherland" Exergue: In Cyrillic: "From the Senate 20 November 1772" Signed: C. LEBERECHT F. Scarce Ref: Smirnov 269a; Reichel #4473; Diakov, part 2, 150/157.5; Weiss BW406 Count Ivan Ivanovich Betskoy (Betskoi) (1704?-1795) was president to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The medal was struck to commemorate his service as a prominent educator, commending him for his patriotism. It was issued by the Russian Senate, 20 November 1772. Betskoi, who served under Russian rulers in a variety of capacities for over three quarters of a century, is best known as the designer of a system of state education incorporating the principles of the Enlightenment. Working closely with Empress Catherine II (the Great), he planned, established and supervised a number of educational institutions, including the Moscow Foundling House, the Community of Noble Girls at the Smolnyi Convent, the gymnasium at the Academy of Arts and the reorganized Cadet Corps. (Taken from Yale University web site.) LINK to Collection of Medals from Imperial Russia (Yale University) HOME PAGE