Zemskaya Tambovsko-Saratovskaya Railway: a gold and enamel jeton, Samuel Arndt, St Petersburg, circa 1870

oval, the front enamelled with the Coats of Arms of Tambov and Saratov underneath Imperial crown and incribed in Russian 'Zemskaya Tambovsko-Saratovskaya Railway', the reverse dated 1868-1870 and named Samuel Solomonovich Polyakov, with barrel-loop and ring suspension, 56 standard

In very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tambovsko-Saratovskaya railway was a private railway, the construction of which was paid for by the Kirsanov and Tambov zemstva and without any governmental concessions. Upon completion however it became evident that the operational and maintenance costs were too high meaning that the shareholders did not receive their guaranteed percentage of the profits. As a result, the ownership of the railway passed from the Tambovsko-Saratovskaya railway society over to the government. From the 1st January 1891 this branch was connected to the Tambovo-Kozlovskaya railway and later became part of the Ryazano-Uralskaya railway network.
Samuel Polyakov (1837 - 1888) was a great railway entrepreneur; coming from a poor background he made his fortune in the construction of the railways in Russia, including Kozlovo-Voronezhsko-Rostovskaya and Kursko-Kharkovo-Azovskaya.