BRITISH, Hanover. Victoria, 1837-1901. Medal 1856 (Bronze, 51 mm, 66.07 g, 12 h), on the Fall of Sevastopol in the Crimean War of 1853-1856 and the Treaty of Paris. By J Pinches. FALL OF - SEBASTOPOL - SEP 8TH 1855 Battle scenery in rectangular frame atop corssed banners of the four allies; above radiant scales within wreath; below recumbent serpent in grass. Rev. THE / ALLIES / GIVE PEACE / TO EUROPE / MARCH 30TH / 1856 in six lines within wreath with fours ribbons, ENGLAND - SARDINIA - TURKEY - FRANCE. BHM 2581. Eimer 1509. PiN 812. Tiny marks and deposits, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This British medal, issued in 1856, commemorates the fall of Sevastopol on 8 September 1855 - a decisive turning point in the Crimean War (1853-1856) - and the subsequent Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the conflict in March 1856.

The war, fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia, centered on the declining power of the Ottoman Empire and control over strategic territory around the Black Sea. The long siege and capture of Sevastopol, Russia’s key naval stronghold in Crimea, effectively broke Russian resistance and set the stage for peace negotiations.

The Treaty of Paris forced Russia to cede territory and accept the neutralization of the Black Sea - a major diplomatic victory for the Western allies.