LEBERECHT, Carl, and GASS, Johann Balthasar, Russia, 1773, Bronze, 79 mm
Obverse:- Shoulder-length portrait of Catherine II, crowned, laureated and dressed in bejeweled court gown, (r). Legend in Russian: BY THE GRACE OF GOD CATHERINE II EMPRESS AND AUTOCRAT OF ALL RUSSIA
Reverse: Triple-crowned, double-headed Russian imperial eagle with medallion depicting St. George. Eagle holding in its talons maps of the returned lands, dated 1793 (l) and 1772 (r) . Legend in Russian: WHAT HAS BEEN LOST IS NOW RETURNED
Signed: On obverse, Carl Leberecht; on reverse I.G.B. (Johann Balthasar Gass)
Ref: Diakov 229.1; Smirnov 324: Weiss BW825

The land in central Europe has been the scene of numerous border changes as the major powers vied to gain portions of its territory. In 16^th and 17^th century Europe, the largest and most populous country was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then formally called the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and now known as Poland. This country was ethnically diverse and exhibited a relatively high degree of religious tolerance. Its neutrality during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) also contributed to its enjoying several decades of prosperity. However, during the late18th century, because of its military and economic decline, it became reduced to that of a Russian protectorate. The major powers of Austria (under the Hapsburgs) and Prussia (under Frederick the Great) to the west and south, and the Russian Empire (under Catherine II) to the east, began to partition Poland. As the dates on the medal indicate this took place in two periods, one in 1772 and another in 1793.

The medal was struck to commemorate this partitioning of Polish territories and its assumption by Russia.

Stanis³aw II Augustus, the last monarch of the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth appealed to the other European powers but to no avail. As can be seen from the LINK below in this satirical British cartoon published in 1772, England showed little interest in their plight.

LINK to  British cartoon