Medal - Tanks of the USSR and Russia Tank T-18

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tank Forces and the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, the St. Petersburg Mint, a branch of Goznak, issued a series of commemorative medals, "Tanks of the USSR and Russia."

The series was released in 2019, although the 100th anniversary of the Tank Forces was celebrated in 2014, and the 75th anniversary of Victory Day was celebrated in 2020. This is because the issue is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Russian tank production, rather than specific military holidays or events.

The first Soviet-designed tank (the "MS," also known as the T-18) rolled off the assembly line at the Sormovo Plant on August 31, 1920, a date considered the birthday of the Soviet tank. Thus, 2019 marked the 99th anniversary of the creation of the first Soviet tank, but the series was released in anticipation of the anniversary, perhaps due to preparation and production deadlines.

The designs and sculpting of the medals were created by the leading artist of the Goznak Design Center, Honored Artist of Russia Sergei Alexandrovich Kornilov.

The series consists of 10 medals: the first three types went on sale on August 29, 2019, and the remaining seven types were added later.

The medals' specifications include: bimetallic copper-nickel alloy and brass, AC quality with varnish application, 25 mm diameter, mintage of 1,000 pieces, weight 6 grams, thickness 1.6 mm, ribbed edge.

The set is distributed in both individual blisters and capsule albums.
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© Image courtesy of Anumis