Historical Collection Catalogue

Obverse: laurel wreath; lettering = THE TREATY OF PEACE WITH RUSSIA AFTER TWO YEARS WAR SIGNED AT PARIS 30th MARCH BY THE PLENIPOTENTIARIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, TURKEY, AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, SARDINIA & RUSSIA, RATIFIED 28th APRIL 1856. Reverse: Lady Britannia standing in the center with olive branch in left hand, ships on left, train and cog wheel on right, beehive on globe in right hand, shield of Great Britain at foot. In the 18th century, a female figure, the helmeted and armed Britannia or Lady Britannia, a warrior maiden, became the symbol of the United Kingdom and England. The medal features an allegorical figure representing progress and industry, with symbols of trade (a ship), transportation (a steam train), and technology (a cog wheel). This medal uses the same reverse as the 1851 Great Exhibition medal.