Medal - Peter I Award to Captain Matwey Simontoff for building the artificial haven

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Lettering: 1709

Engraver: S. Gouin

Comment

Probably a later copy.
Peter I gave orders to build a harbour on the Sea of Azov in order to extend Russian influence to the Black Sea. Capturing the fortress of Taganrog from the Turks in 1696, work was begun to build an entirely artificial harbour in front of the existing fortress. However he abandoned the harbour in 1711, having suffered several defeats from Turkish forces. Of Matwey Simontoff nothing is known in the readily available reference works.