Medal "Za vzyatie Mitavy"

“For the Capture of Mitau” (За взятие Митавы) was a medal made to commemorate the capture of Mitau in early September 1705 during the war with Sweden. A. S. Pushkin’s work History of Peter I mentions that “a medal was struck for the capture of Mitau…”. Other sources report that the medal was struck in silver at the Moscow Mint and had a diameter of 46 mm. The die was made by the German medallist F. G. Müller, who produced several medals commemorating victories in the Great Northern War as part of a large commission in 1713–1714 (the medals themselves were made in Russia in 1716). The obverse depicts a portrait of Peter I. Around the medal is the inscription “PETRVS ALEXII FIL. D.G. RVSS. IMP. M. DVX MOSCOVIAE.” (“Peter, son of Alexei, by the grace of God ruler of Russia, Grand Duke of Moscow”). The reverse depicts the siege of Mitau and bears the inscription “CVRAT CONTENDERE MARTE. VIRG.” (“He takes care to begin war. Virgil”). The chronogram reads “1705.” In the exergue: “MITTAVIVM EXPVG/ 4.SEPT.S.V.” The medal was instituted in 1705.