VISIT OF CZAR ALEXANDER II TO LONDON

WIENER, Charles: Russia, 1874, Bronze, 76 mm
Obv: Bust of Czar Alexander    ALEXANDER II RUSSORUM IMPERATOR (Alexander II, Emperor of Russia)
Rev: Londinia, attended by two cupids, welcomes the Czar; Peace stands over the couple    SERVORUM EMANCIPATOR LIBERAE CIVITATIS HOSPES. XVIII MAII MDCCCLXXIV (Emancipator of The Serfs and Guest of Free Peoples, 18 May 1874)
Exergue: LONDINI
Signed: CHARLES WIENER
Mintage: 400
In original, fitted case of issue (see Appendix)
Ref: Welch 14; BHM 298/2981; Eimer 191/1634; Forrer p. 481 (illustrated);  Diakov 807.1 (R1);  Weiss BW230  This medal is photographed in Eldem p. 237.

Alexander II, 1818-81, czar of Russia (1855-81), son and successor of Nicholas I ascended the throne during the Crimean War (1853-56). Influenced by Russia's defeat in the war and by peasant unrest, Alexander embarked upon a modernization and reform program. The most important reform was the emancipation of the serfs (1861). This failed, however, to meet the land needs of the newly freed group and created many new problems. In 1881, after several unsuccessful attempts, a member of the People's Will, a terrorist offshoot of the populist movement, assassinated Alexander with a hand-thrown bomb. He was succeeded by his son Alexander III.

LINK to Crimean War (from World History by Alexander Ganse)

LINK to Biography of Alexander II (from Wikipedia)

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