IN HONOR OF COUNT IVAN BETSKOY

LEBERECHT, Carl: Russia, 1772, Bronze, 65 mm
Obv: Bust of Count Betskoy (r); Legend in Cyrillic translated as: "Ivan Ivanovitch Betzkoy".
Rev: Russia is seated by an obelisk dedicated to Betskoy; view of the state building in Moscow behind.
Signed: C. LEBERECHT F.
Ref: Smirnov 269a;  Europese Penningen # 2046

Count Ivan Ivanovitch Betskoy (Betskoi) (1704?-1795) was president to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The medal was struck to commemorate his service as a prominent educator, commending him for his patriotism. It was issued by the Russian Senate, 20 November 1772. Betskoi, who served under Russian rulers in a variety of capacities for over three quarters of a century, is best known as the designer of a system of state education incorporating the principles of the Enlightenment. Working closely with Empress Catherine II (the Great), he planned, established and supervised a number of educational institutions, including the Moscow Foundling House, the Community of Noble Girls at the Smolnyi Convent, the gymnasium at the Academy of Arts and the reorganized Cadet Corps.(taken from Yale University web site.)

LINK to Collection of Medals from Imperial Russia (Yale University)

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