Modern collections mainly consist of old table medals. Of particular value are exhibits that are made of precious metals. Often, medals of the same type are made of completely different alloys, which dramatically affects their value.
Faleristics as a hobby
Since there were no production standards, table and commemorative medals of the USSR could vary significantly in size. However, they were not produced in the amount of more than twenty centimeters. You can purchase table medals from all possible metals, such as: gold, platinum, bronze, silver, copper and their alloys. When creating their own collection, some clerks paid attention to the method of making medals. In the past, they were created by casting metal according to a pre-molded wax pattern, and over time they began to be minted like ordinary coins. This allowed us to create premium table medals with a clearer and more voluminous image.
When minting the product, unique marks were applied to it. They symbolized the place where the coin was made. Particularly rare exhibits, which are most valued, were produced long before the Second World War.
The history of the origin of the first table medals
The first samples of medals appeared at the end of the fourteenth century in Italy. Later, the craft of their creation began to develop in France, where they began to be used to reward honorary and distinguished rulers. Many skillful French medalists were captured in history, the most famous of which are O. Roti and J. Chaplin. They made real works of art from table medals, encrusting them with precious stones. The German brothers also did not lag behind in this craft and produced no less beautiful award medals, which are of great value to collectors.
Table medals, as a rule, have a long and interesting history, having studied which you can discover a lot about the eras to which your exhibits belong.
In Russia, such exhibits of medals first appeared during the reign of Peter I. Over the years of his leadership of the empire, a large series of commemorative table medals were produced, which were given to the generals for their military achievements. This tradition was continued by Catherine II, under whose leadership medals were issued in honor of significant events in the state. During these periods, anything could be applied to them, from furniture to the face of a ruler.
Finally
A person interested in faleristics should definitely visit the Hermitage and the State Historical Museum. There you can see a huge number of antique table medals. There is also a unique Soviet award medal dedicated to Pushkin, Mayakovsky, the fortieth anniversary of the October Revolution. Collecting desktop medals or faleristics is undoubtedly a fascinating hobby. Indeed, in addition to aesthetic pleasure, you can still delve into the study of the history of various desktop exhibits, thereby discovering a lot of new things.