Medal "For labors for the liberation of peasants", silver

Silver, stamping. The original medal is in good condition. Original pad and tape. The diameter is 28 mm. The edge is smooth. On the front side in the center there is a portrait of Alexander II in profile. At the top of the arc along the side of the inscription: "THANK YOU." At the bottom along the side of the arc, the date of the release of the Manifesto on the abolition of serfdom: "FEBRUARY 19, 1861." The inscriptions on both sides are separated by two small six-pointed stars located, respectively, to the right and left of the portrait. On the reverse side of the medal there is a horizontal inscription in five lines: "FOR THE LABORS FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE PEASANTS." Under the label is a line of two lines separated by a dot. Approximately 1,500 silver and 250 gold medals were minted at the St. Petersburg Mint in 1861-1863, while some of the medals were sold to awardees who wished to have more than one copy of the award. Guarantee of authenticity.

"For Labors for the Liberation of Peasants" is a medal of the Russian Empire, established in 1861 to commemorate the peasant reform. This medal had two variants — gold and silver, intended for different categories of awardees. The medal was awarded to officials who developed the reform and worked on its implementation. The awards lasted at least until 1875. In total, about 1,500 silver and 250 gold medals were minted. The medal was worn on the Alexander ribbon, subsequently the right to wear the medal was made hereditary.

The medal "For Labors for the Liberation of Peasants" was established by decree of Alexander II on April 17, 1861 in memory of the work on the liberation of peasants from serfdom. The decree on the establishment was communicated to the Governing Senate. On March 24, 1861, the Emperor approved the drawing of the medal. The medal had two variants — gold and silver. This medal was not the only award associated with the peasant reform. There were other medals intended for officials who participated in the transformations: "For the works on the device of peasants in the Kingdom of Poland", "For the works on the device of the military factory population", "For the works on the device of specific peasants". A personal medal "February 19, 1861" was established for Alexander II.

Silver medals were awarded to the rulers of the offices of governors-General, if they were directly involved in clerical work on peasant reform, or those persons who were directly involved in these issues in the offices of governors-General; members, candidates and clerks of noble committees on the organization of peasant life.

It is known that there were awardees who wished to purchase additional medals at their own expense. Some members of the State Council wished to have 2-3 medals to be worn on different uniforms and in case of loss; some members of the State Chancellery wished to have one additional medal for the same purposes. In May 1861, an additional 12 gold and 20 silver medals were minted at the expense of the customers, in addition to the 47 gold and 14 silver medals they had already received.

In addition, the circle of awarded persons has been expanded several times. Thus, on the recommendation of the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Army, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, on January 30, 1869, the emperor ordered to reward persons who participated in the liberation of dependent estates in the Tersk region. Seven people received gold medals (the entire composition of the Committee for the Liberation of Dependent Estates in the Mountain Tribes of the Transcaucasian Territory: Adjutant Generals M. T. Loris-Melikov and A. P. Kartsov, Major Generals A. P. Boguslavsky, D. S. Staroselsky, A. G. Tumanov, Colonels Pavlov and Cherkesov). 54 people were awarded silver medals (officials who carried out preparatory work on the drafting of the Regulations, deputies from the estate of slave owners who participated in the consultations and the head of the Caucasian Mountain Administration).

On May 9, 1870, Alexander II ordered to reward persons who participated in the process of liberation of dependent estates in Dagestan and Kuban regions. Two orders of the Emperor — dated May 26, 1872 and June 18, 1875 — were awarded to figures from the Sukhumi department. In total, during the years 1870-1875, 23 people were awarded gold medals, and 13 — silver. Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich and A. D. Stolypin, the father of the reformer P. A. Stolypin, can also be distinguished from those awarded this medal.