Medal commemorating the 40th anniversary of the discovery of asteroid 2374 ‘Vladvysotskij’

Cast bronze medal commemorating the discovery of asteroid ‘2374 Vladvysotsky’ by Jānis Strupulis and Lyudmila Zhuravleva, 2017. The obverse shows the asteroid in relief at centre with Zhuravleva's signature and date. Inscribed in a raised surrounding band '2374 Vladvysotskij / 08 22 1974'. The reverse is blank. 7th of an edition of 10 produced for museums, of a total edition of 35.

This medal combines medallic sculpture with recent space history. Issued in 2017 it is part of an edition commissioned from the Latvian artist Jānis Strupulis to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the discovery of asteroid 2374 ‘Vladvysotskij’ on 22 August 1974.

The asteroid was discovered by Ukrainian, Russian and Soviet astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravleva who worked at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnij, where she discovered 213 minor planets, and a number of asteroids. This asteroid was named after the Russian poet, actor and singer Vladimir Vysotsky who was friends with many Russian cosmonauts, writing songs about space and space travel. The discovery was registered by the Minor Planet Center (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) as number 7617 on 28 January 1983. Zhuravleva modelled the asteroid accurately in plasticine for the production of this medal and it bears her signature at the centre with the date 20/5/14 below.

Strupulis is an important Latvian medallist who also designed a number of Latvian coins. He is the Latvian national delegate to the International Art Medal Federation (FIDEM) and recipient of a number of art medal prizes. This medal was commissioned by the Latvian organisation the Chalice of Peace as part of a commitment to strengthening cultural relationships between Europe and Russia through the work of Vladimir Vysotsky. It is produced on their ‘synergy principle’ of collaboration between different disciplines. The medal was offered as a gift to the Science Museum.