A token commemorating the 100th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Craft Society, 1885

An original and quite rare token in excellent condition. 84-grade silver, enamel. The size is 29*37 mm. Weight 10.3 g. Awarded to P. L. Donskoy. Rare. Guarantee of authenticity.

The St. Petersburg craft estate (society) and the executive bodies of its self-government were established on the basis of the "Charter on the rights and benefits of the cities of the Russian Empire" (Charter granted to cities), issued by Empress Catherine II on April 21, 1785. The section "On Artisans" in the 1785 Charter of Cities introduced in Russia a strict guild organization based on the European model. For each registered craft workshop in St. Petersburg, guild craft councils headed by guild foremen (alternates) were elected at a general meeting of workers. A single General Craft Council of St. Petersburg was established for the centralized management of all city workshops.

The craft society, through its boards, performed fiscal, judicial and administrative tasks in relation to urban artisans:

• Registration as a master, journeyman and apprentice, maintaining lists of artisans.


• Analysis of internal disputes, quality control of goods, imposition of fines and penalties for violation of shop rules.


• Collecting taxes from the artisan class and performing state duties.


• Maintenance of estate almshouses, orphanages and assistance to needy members of society.

Since 1872, the city council has finally passed under the jurisdiction of the St. Petersburg City Duma. With the fall of the monarchy and the elimination of the estate system in Russia, the organization ceased to exist. The craft society and its board were officially abolished on the basis of the decree of the Central Executive Committee of November 12, 1917 "On the destruction of estates and civil ranks."