A large, very nice medal minted in Switzerland, commissioned by the Society of Lithuanian and Russian Lands. The medal was intended not only to commemorate the November Uprising, but also to settle the dispute that arose in the emigration over the activities of the Lithuanian and Ruthenian Lands Society. The omission of the Polish segment in the name, some emigration circles perceived as an anti-Polish manifestation. This accusation was misplaced, and members of the Society as Juliusz Słowacki or Aleksander Chodźko, for example, considered it unfair. It is understood that the reverse of the medal was designed to deny these accusations. On it we see a white eagle under the wings of which are gathered banners with the names of the lands historically encompassing the territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The medal was designed in 1832 by Jean Jacques Barre. He also made the stamps for its minting. The task of making the prints was entrusted to Julius Slowacki, who, for political reasons, had to have it stamped in Switzerland, which finally happened the following year. Due to pressure from the Russian embassy, the medals could not be transported to France officially, so they arrived in Paris by smuggling. This must also have hindered the distribution of the medal, which is not often found today. The piece offered at auction was purchased several years ago in Switzerland. Combined with its exquisite state of preservation, it is not out of the question that it had never left the borders of that country before.
Bronze, diameter 51.0 mm, weight 64.5 g.
