In gold, measures 32.1 mm in height (from the bottom to the tip of the cross, not including the jump ring), 19.4 mm in width, 2.7 mm thick at the edge; weighs 7.7 g not including the jump ring, 8.1 g overall. A very nicely made piece: the double headed eagle emblem and the crown are separate parts soldered to the golden disc. Both the crown and the disc appear to be of hollow construction as typical of the period pieces made in gold, no doubt to reduce the cost by saving on the amount of 14K gold used.

The reverse has raised letters "ИМУ" ("IMU

In gold, measures 32.1 mm in height (from the bottom to the tip of the cross, not including the jump ring), 19.4 mm in width, 2.7 mm thick at the edge; weighs 7.7 g not including the jump ring, 8.1 g overall. A very nicely made piece: the double headed eagle emblem and the crown are separate parts soldered to the golden disc. Both the crown and the disc appear to be of hollow construction as typical of the period pieces made in gold, no doubt to reduce the cost by saving on the amount of 14K gold used.

The reverse has raised letters "ИМУ" ("IMU", Russian acronym for Imperial Moscow University) and engraved name of the recipient А. Э. Швейцеръ (A. E. Shveytser). The engraved numeral "1886" stands for his year of graduation from the university.

The jump ring has a Kokoshnik gold purity hallmark, poorly struck but nevertheless clearly recognizable; there is also a maker's mark, almost completely worn out and therefore illegible. The style of Kokoshnik points to the period of manufacture between 1908 and 1917.

The jetton is in very fine to excellent condition. There is only a mild wear to the highest points of the eagle, while most of its details are still nicely defined. The domed top portion of the crown under the cross has a tiny dent, not really very noticeable or detractive; the crown is extremely well-preserved in all other respects. The reverse is nearly pristine. The jump ring is completely sound.

The jetton was instituted by an official decree in December 1899 and henceforth the right to wear it was given to all current and past graduates of the Moscow University. There are two versions of it: in solid gold and the more modest version in gilded silver. It is interesting to see that Mr. Shveytser, who graduated in 1886, commissioned his gold jetton no earlier than in 1908. We can only theorize that it may have been a replacement for either a gold piece that got worn out or possibly, "an upgrade" for the silver version - perhaps reflecting the improved financial circumstances of the owner. It is of course also possible that Mr. Shveytser had not ordered a graduation jetton prior to 1908 because until then, he simply did not feel compelled to do so!

Please note, penny in our photo is for size reference.

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