Personal ItemsRussian Pre WWI Czar Nicholas II Coronation Cup, 1896 Cup of Sorrows

Original era manufacture. Enameled steel bodied cup displaying the cypher of Nicolas II and the double-headed Imperial Eagle. These cups were presented as Imperial gifts to the common people attending the Czars coronation ceremony on the morning of May 18 1896. A rumor started within the crowd that the cups and other gifts were in short supply and the supply was not adequate for the hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the occaision. The crowd pressed forward and in the ensuing crush over 1000 people were trampled to death. This incident was thought to have been a bad omen for the newly crowned Czar and as subsequent events unfolded they were proved correct. The cup stands about 4 inches in height and is about 3.5 inches wide at its top. The finish displays minor wear and surface chipping, but overall it remains quite colorful with bright gilding remaining as shown. No holes in the metal surfaces. Wonderful old cup with a sad history.