| Imperial Russo - Japanese War Silver Jetton |
1904 Grand Duchess Elizabeth Red Cross Silver Enamel Jetton, Romanov, Russia Jeton
An approximately 1 3/4" x 1" silver and enamel jetton issued by the Red Cross Society
of St. Elizabeth under the auspices of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia;
the inscription above and below the crimson enamel cross reads "Commune of St. Elizabeth."
Above this is the crowned "E" cipher of the grand duchess. On the reverse is a hand-engraved
name dated 1904. Below this is an incuse "84" silver hallmark with the initials of the assayer--AR,
I believe--and the "N.P" hallmark of the prominent Nichols & Plinke firm of St. Petersburg.
The jetton is formed of two pieces joined by a tiny silver rivet at the top of the diamond;
the workmanship, color, and feel of the jetton is very fine, as one would expect from
Nichols & Plinke. Weight--5 grams. The Commune of St. Elizabeth was a Red Cross nursing
group formed under the auspices of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth;
it would have been very active in 1904 due to the Russo-Japanese War (1904-5).
Originally a Hessian princess, Elizabeth was a sister of the empress Alexandra,
and the wife of the Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich.
Following his assassination in 1905, she founded a religious order which worked
among the poor of Moscow. After the Revolution she was arrested by the Bolsheviks,
and murdered at Alapaevsk in 1918.
Good condition--There is an old solder repair to the top of the piece.
The "E" cipher is affected, but the crown above it is not.
Apart from that, the condition is Very Good--the enamel of the cross is only
lightly worn, and the black enamel of the inscription is better than usually seen.
The engraving to the back is clear and easily read, and the hallmarks correct.
Overall, a good, straightforward example of a scarce jetton.
ITEM NAME: St.Elisabeth Jetton
PRICE: $ 599.00 *** SOLD ***
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