Medal "For the Conquest of the Western Caucasus"

Silver, stamping. The diameter is 28 mm. On the front side there is a chest portrait of Alexander II. Under the edge of the shoulder is the signature of the medallist — "N. KOZIN R." (Nikolai Kozin cut). On the reverse side, there is an inscription along the edge in a circle: "FOR THE CONQUEST OF THE WESTERN CAUCASUS." At the bottom, between the beginning and the end of the inscription, there is a small four-petalled rosette. In the center, the years of military operations following the completion of the conquest of Circassia are horizontally indicated in one line: "1859-1864". Guarantee of authenticity.

The medal "For the Conquest of the Western Caucasus" was intended to be awarded to persons involved in the completion of the conquest of Circassia. It was established on July 12 (24), 1864, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, given to the Minister of War D. A. Milyutin. Simultaneously with the medal, the cross "For Service in the Caucasus" was established. The medal was awarded to the following persons:

• All ranks of the army, including generals, officers, and lower ranks, both combat and non-combat, who participated in the fighting in the Western Caucasus from 1859 to 1864;


• Local militia troops, various volunteers who participated in the battles;


• Officials, priests, and medics who were with the troops during the war and performed their duties during combat expeditions;


• From November 2 (14), 1864, employees of the naval department who took part in battles and amphibious operations were also awarded.

More than 211,000 medals were minted at the St. Petersburg Mint between 1864 and 1867. There are also a number of options for obtaining a private job. They may differ significantly from the medals issued at the mint in terms of image details and dimensions. There are known variants made not only in silver, but also in light and dark bronze, followed by silvering. Dress versions of the medal are also known.