Count Feodor Matveevich Apraxin (1661-1728) was a Russian admiral who early in his career served the little Tsar Peter, who became a life long friend. In 1693 Apraxin was appointed Governor of Arkhangelsk, one of Russia’s most important commercial ports. There he pursued Russia’s trade interests and laid the foundations of the nation’s commercial and military shipbuilding. Together with Peter the Great, Apraxin is considered to be one of the founders of the Russian Baltic Fleet. In 1700 he was appointed Chief of the Admiralty. Apraxin took part in all the major battles of the Northern War, and in 1708 he was appointed commander in chief in Ingria, to defend the new capital of St. Petersburg against the Swedes. Apraxin battled and routed the Swedish fleet in this encounter, the event commemorated by this medal.

This medal was commissioned personally by Peter the Great to show his appreciation for Apraxin’s services.

This particular piece is a copy by S. Yudin of a medal originally executed by Solomon Gouin and Gottfried Haupt.